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EVANSTON, Ill. — Freshman star Ace Bailey scored 24 of his 37 points in the first half and Rutgers picked up a rare road win 79-72 over Northwestern. Tyson Acuff added 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting for the Scarlet Knights, who were without another sensational freshman, point guard Dylan Harper (18.6 ppg), who missed the game with an ankle injury. Rutgers won just its second true road game against a Northwestern team that came in 25-3 at home over the past two seasons, including 11-1 this year. Jalen Leach had 23 points for the Wildcats and Nick Martinelli had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Brooks Barnhizer added 10. Bailey hit 9 of 10 shots, including all four of his 3s, and the Scarlet Knights shot 57% to lead 43-35 at the break. It's not like Northwestern struggled, shooting 54%
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![Rutgers guard Ace Bailey watches teammates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. - AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh](https://img.ksl.com/slc/3038/303896/30389670.jpg?filter=ksl/gallery)
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![Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell signals to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. - AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh](https://img.ksl.com/slc/3038/303896/30389679.jpg?filter=ksl/gallery)
![Rutgers guard Ace Bailey watches teammates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. - AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh](https://img.ksl.com/slc/3038/303896/30389670.jpg?filter=ksl/gallery)
![Rutgers guard Ace Bailey, right, talks with guard Jeremiah Williams during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. - AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh](https://img.ksl.com/slc/3038/303896/30389671.jpg?filter=ksl/gallery)