Rutgers Defeats Maryland 68-57

Tariq Francis and Harun Zrno lead Rutgers to victory over Big Ten rival Maryland.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Rutgers University's men's basketball team defeated the University of Maryland 68-57 in a Big Ten conference matchup. Tariq Francis led the Scarlet Knights with 21 points, while Harun Zrno added 13 points to the winning effort.

Why it matters

This victory is an important conference win for Rutgers as they look to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament. The Scarlet Knights have been steadily improving under head coach Steve Pikiell and this win over a traditional Big Ten power like Maryland is a sign of their progress.

The details

Rutgers jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout the game. Francis and Zrno were the top scorers, but the Scarlet Knights also got contributions from Paul Mulcahy, who had 9 points, and Cliff Omoruyi, who grabbed 11 rebounds.

  • The game was played on February 15, 2026.

The players

Tariq Francis

A junior guard for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights who led the team with 21 points in the victory over Maryland.

Harun Zrno

A sophomore forward for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights who scored 13 points in the win over Maryland.

Steve Pikiell

The head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team.

Paul Mulcahy

A junior guard for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights who scored 9 points in the victory.

Cliff Omoruyi

A sophomore center for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights who grabbed 11 rebounds in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys played with a lot of energy and focus tonight. Tariq and Harun really led the way, but it was a total team effort.”

— Steve Pikiell, Head Coach, Rutgers Scarlet Knights (The Daily Item)

What’s next

Rutgers will look to build on this win as they continue their Big Ten schedule. Their next game is against rival Seton Hall on February 19th.

The takeaway

Rutgers' victory over Maryland demonstrates the continued progress of the Scarlet Knights' men's basketball program under Coach Pikiell. This win over a conference powerhouse boosts Rutgers' chances of earning an NCAA tournament bid.