Big Ten Basketball: Top Teams Clash, Rutgers Ends UCLA’s Skid

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Big Ten basketball season continued its thrilling pace this week, with ranked teams battling for supremacy and standout performances lighting up the court. From Rutgers snapping UCLA‘s losing streak to Michigan State‘s dominant run, the conference showcased its depth and competitiveness.

Rutgers ended its three-game skid with a 75-68 victory over UCLA on Wednesday, extending the Bruins’ losing streak to four games. Freshman Ace Bailey led the charge with a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Dylan Harper added 18 points, including two 3-pointers, while Jeremiah Williams contributed 11 points off the bench. UCLA’s Eric Dailey Jr. and Sebastian Mack each scored 16 points, but the Bruins couldn’t overcome Rutgers’ second-half surge.

Maryland secured a hard-fought win against Minnesota, thanks to freshman Derik Queen‘s career-high 27 points. Queen’s six consecutive points late in the game pushed Maryland ahead, and his dunk with 4:19 left sealed the victory. Rodney Rice added 21 points, and Ja’Kobi Gillespie chipped in 15 points and seven assists. Minnesota’s Dawson Garcia led the Gophers with 21 points, but their late rally fell short.

Illinois dominated Indiana with a 94-69 victory, fueled by Kylan Boswell‘s 22 points and Kasparas Jakucionis‘ 21. Tomislav Ivisic added a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Fighting Illini build a 28-point halftime lead. Indiana’s Oumar Ballo scored 16 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, but the Hoosiers couldn’t close the gap.

Wisconsin extended its winning streak to six games with a 70-68 win over Ohio State. John Tonje‘s clutch 3-pointer and free throws in the final moments secured the victory. Bruce Thornton led Ohio State with 21 points, but the Buckeyes’ late rally fell short.

Michigan State continued its impressive run with a 90-85 win over Penn State, marking its 10th consecutive victory. Frankie Fidler scored a season-high 18 points, while Ace Baldwin Jr. led Penn State with 20 points. The Nittany Lions struggled without Puff Johnson, who left the game with a hand injury.

Purdue rallied to defeat Washington 69-58, overcoming a 10-point first-half deficit. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 19 points, while Washington’s Great Osobor scored a game-high 28 points in a losing effort.

USC defeated Iowa 89-81, powered by Desmond Claude‘s 25 points and Saint Thomas‘ 24 points. Iowa’s Owen Freeman scored 23 points, but the Hawkeyes couldn’t keep pace with the Trojans’ offensive firepower.

As the Big Ten season heats up, teams are jockeying for position in the conference standings and national rankings. With standout performances and thrilling finishes, the conference continues to deliver high-stakes basketball action.