Dylan Harper returns to score 28 points in Rutgers' 82-73 victory over No. 23 Illinois

Dylan Harper returns to score 28 points in Rutgers’ 82-73 victory over No. 23 Illinois

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Rutgers’ Ace Bailey (4) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ Jeremiah Williams reacts after drawing a foul during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ Dylan Harper reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ Dylan Harper reacts after his teammates scores during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ Jeremiah Williams reacts after sinking a basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ Jeremiah Williams reacts during the final seconds of the the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ PJ Hayes IV, center, and Jeremiah Williams, right, react during the final seconds of the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Illinois head coach Brad Underwood, center right, talks to a referee during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’s Ace Bailey, right, and Bryce Dortch celebrate during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis, left, flies out-of-bounds while Rutgers’ Dylan Harper, center and Lathan Sommerville defended during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ Dylan Harper reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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Rutgers’ Dylan Harper reacts after his teammates scores during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

By EVERETT MERRILL

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Dylan Harper returned to score 28 points, fellow freshman Ace Bailey added 18 points and 11 rebounds and Rutgers beat No. 23 Illinois 82-73 on Wednesday night.

Harper made 11 of 12 frees throws and had six rebounds and five assists after missing a 66-63 home loss to Michigan on Saturday because of a sprained ankle.

Jeremiah Williams scored 13 points to help Rutgers (12-11, 5-7 Big Ten) beat a ranked team for the first time since last February against then-No. 9 Wisconsin. The Scarlet Knights have won two of three.

Will Riley led Illinois (15-8, 7-6) with 20 points, and Ben Humrichous had 14. The Illini have lost four of six.

Rutgers raced to a 23-6 lead, with Illinois taking its first lead at 48-47 with 13:06 to play.

Takeaways

Illinois: The Illini were 6 of 28 from beyond the arc. They have not topped 30% in six straight games.

Rutgers: Bailey is fourth on the Scarlet Knights’ season scoring list.

Key moment

Harper had a steal and hit a 3-pointer to give Rutgers a 66-62 lead with 6:34 left,

Key stat

Rutgers made 28 of 34 free throws.

Up next

Illinois is at Minnesota on Saturday. Rutgers is at No. 18 Maryland on Sunday.

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