Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Ron Harper Jr. (24) celebrates with Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Clifford Omoruyi (11) after defeating the top ranked Purdue Boilermakers. Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Rutgers hits half-court buzzer-beater to upset No. 1 Purdue

By Adam Stites | Last updated 12/9/21

The No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers suffered their first loss of the 2021-22 season in heartbreaking fashion Thursday night when Rutgers hit a buzzer beater from just inside of half court to win, 70-68.

Purdue led by as many as 10 points during the second half, but Rutgers clawed back and took the lead with just 14 seconds left. The Boilermakers took the lead back in the final seconds with a layup from Trevion Williams, but Rutgers' Ron Harper Jr. took the inbound pass and heaved a prayer after crossing the mid-court line.

AS CALLED ON RUTGERS RADIO: pic.twitter.com/FNGT7h0D8z
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) December 10, 2021

Earlier this week, Purdue became the No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll for the first time in school history. The Thursday night loss likely means the ranking will be short-lived and Purdue will tumble when the new poll is released Monday.

Harper led the way for Rutgers throughout the win, finishing with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Rutgers shot 52.1 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the three-point arc. Purdue shot just 41 percent and made only 26.9 percent of its three-pointers.

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