Pharrel Payne Stars in Minnesota's Victory Over Rutgers

The win boosts Minnesota's Big Ten standings, marking a recovery from recent losses.

Pharrel Payne led Minnesota to an 81-70 victory over Rutgers with 21 points and 11 rebounds, marking a significant performance in the Big Ten Conference matchup.
Minnesota's strong second-half performance, including a 19-7 run, was crucial for securing the win, despite Rutgers' late rally to narrow the gap.
The Golden Gophers improved their record to 16-9 (7-7 in the Big Ten), bouncing back from a two-game road slide with this home victory.
Rutgers' four-game winning streak ended as they struggled with shooting, particularly in the second half, finishing the game with a 38.7% shooting rate.
Up next, Minnesota will host Ohio State, while Rutgers faces a challenging game at No. 2 Purdue.