Scarlet Knights men's basketball fans celebrate on the court

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Photography: 
courtesy Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics

Exhibit A in the resurgence of the Scarlet Knights men’s basketball team under head coach Steve Pikiell was its dramatic victory, 71-65, over #15 Seton Hall at the Rutgers Athletic Center on December 16, a come-from-behind victory during the annual Garden State Hardwood Classic. The feat took place in front of more than 8,000 delirious fans, the largest crowd since 2002, when Rutgers also beat the Seton Hall Pirates. Led by junior guard Corey Sanders and senior forward Deshawn Freeman, the Scarlet Knights earned their first victory over a nationally ranked team this season and brought home the Boardwalk Trophy. At the game’s conclusion, students streamed onto the court to celebrate. “The environment was awesome,” said Pikiell. “We did a really good job down the stretch.”