PISCATAWAY—DeShawn Freeman scored 21 points and hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left to lead Rutgers past Illinois 62-59 on Saturday.Freeman hit the game-winner from the wing, before flinging Tracy Abram’s missed 3-point attempt into the student section.Illinois led 44-34 after Michael Fink made a 3-pointer with 14:44 to go but Rutgers (14-17, 3-15 Big Ten) rallied, taking a 55-54 lead with five minutes remaining after Corey Sanders scored six straight points.Malcolm Hill and Maverick Morgan each scored 16 points for Illinois (18-13, 8-10).Corey Sanders had 17 points for Rutgers.

The Illini ended the regular season winning four out of five, but the loss may end its NCAA Tournament hopes and coach John Groce’s tenure…..The Scarlet Knights end a once promising regular season. After an 11-2 start under first-year coach Steve Pikiell, Rutgers managed to win just three games in the Big Ten. However, that matches the total from the first two seasons…..Illinois will head back East for the Big Ten Tournament in Washington.