Rutgers, Big Ten Super Saturday, Michigan State, college basketball, Paul Mulcahy
Paul Mulcahy celebrates a Rutgers win with head coach Steve Pikiell. (Photo by Bobby O'Hara - JSN)

Super Saturday Showdown: Rutgers defeats Mighty Spartans

It was a great day for Rutgers University. It wasn't a great day for Michigan State University.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeated the Michigan State Spartans by a final score of 61-55 in front of a crowd numbering 14,884 at Madison Square Garden on a cold Saturday afternoon. Both teams came out sluggish as the Scarlett Knights only mustered 19 points in the first half and shot 38% from the floor. However in the second half, Rutgers turned the tide.

Led by Paul Mulcahy and his 17 points, the Scarlet Knights took advantage of the huge mistakes made by the Spartans and pulled away at the very end.

The Spartans did not bring their A-Game as they had 14 turnovers all game. Coach Tom Izzo was not happy with his team's lackluster game.

"We could have played better," said Izzo when asked about the loss to Rutgers. He did praise Rutgers as one of the best teams in the Big Ten Conference, second to Purdue.

When asked about playing at the Garden, Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell said he loves to play there but would rather play at Jersey Mike's Arena.

The leading scorer for Michigan State was guard Tyson Walker who had 12 points and four rebounds.

The Spartans are currently 14-9, while the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are 16-7.

The Spartans head back home to face Maryland on Tuesday while the Scarlet Knights head to Indiana to face the Hoosiers on Tuesday.