Tariq Francis scores 30, Rutgers beats Oregon 88-85 in overtime

News > Sports News

Rutgers guard Tariq Francis (0) looks to shoot in front of Oregon guard Wei Lin, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Rutgers guard Jamichael Davis (1) steals the ball from Oregon guard Wei Lin, center right, in front of Oregon head coach Dana Altman, left, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) — Rutgers guard Tariq Francis (0) looks to shoot in front of Oregon guard Wei Lin, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Audio By Carbonatix

9:37 PM on Monday, January 5

The Associated Press

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Tariq Francis made 10 of 16 from the field, hit 10 of 11 from the free-throw line, and scored 30 points to help Rutgers beat Oregon 88-85 in overtime on Monday night.

Darren Buchanan Jr. hit a corner 3-pointer and threw down a two-hand dunk before Francis made a jumper that capped a 7-1 spurt and gave Rutgers (8-7, 1-3 Big Ten) an 87-82 lead with 1:09 to play.

Buchanan, Jamichael Davis and Lino Mark each scored 13 points for the Scarlet Knights.

The 6-foot-1 Francis, a junior NJIT transfer, has scored 100 in the past four games — all coming off the bench.

Nate Bittle tied his season high with 28 points for Oregon (8-7, 1-3). Wei Lin, who went into the game shooting 20.7% (6 of 29) from 3-point range, hit six 3s and finished with 23 points — both career highs. Kwame Evans Jr. had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Mark made a layup that made it 66-65 with 4:53 left in regulation and the Scarlet Knights led until Lin hit a 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds to go that made it 76-all.

Oregon used an 18-5 run late in the first half to take a nine-point lead and led 45-37 at halftime. Buchanan hit a jumper that gave Rutgers its first lead of the second half with 13:32 left in ths second half.

Jackson Shelstad (injury) did not play for Oregon. The 6-foot-1 junior is second on the team in scoring (15.9 per game) and leads the Ducks in assists (4.9) and steals (1.4).

Oregon's Takai Simpkins fouled out with 3:54 left in regulation. .

Rutgers made 30 of 34 from the free-throw line.

Up next

Oregon: Hosts Ohio State on Thursday.

Rutgers: Visits No. 16 Illinois on Thursday.

___

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball