Rutgers 64, Seton Hall 61

3/9/2008 2:45 PM

By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -JR Inman hit a running 3-pointer at the buzzer and Rutgers snapped a nine-game losing streak by rallying from a 17-point first-half deficit to beat Seton Hall 64-61 on Sunday.

The game-winning basket came just seconds after Jamar Nutter had tied the game at 61 with 4.3 seconds to play by putting in the rebound of a Brian Laing miss.

Anthony Farmer took the inbounds pass, crossed halfcourt and gave the ball to Inman on the right wing. The forward quickly turned to the basket and tossed up a 3-pointer off one foot that rattled the rim and fell in, setting off a wild celebration for Rutgers (11-20, 3-15), which had not won since upsetting Pittsburgh on Jan. 26.

Coach Fred Hill ran took center court in celebration as the officials went to the scorer's table and watched videotape replays to make sure the shot was taken in time.

Referee Jim Burr didn't take long to signal a 3-pointer, sending Seton Hall (17-14, 7-11) to its third straight loss.

Jaron Griffin had 12 points and Corey Chandler added 11 to lead the Scarlet Knights, whose season ended with the win.

Jeremy Hazell had 19 points and Brian Laing 16 for Seton Hall, which will play in the Big East Conference tournament in New York City this week.

The Pirates, who were outscored 20-3 in the opening minutes of the second half, tied the game three times down the stretch, the last coming on Nutter's follow.

Griffin had twice given Rutgers the lead with 3-point baskets, the last coming at 60-58 with 1:43 to play.

Laing made 1 of 2 free throws to cut the gap to a point with 55 seconds left and Farmer made 1 of 2 to push the lead to 61-59 with 44 seconds to go.

Pirates point guard Eugene Harvey threw a pass away and was called with an offensive foul in the closing seconds, but Rutgers also had a turnover and saw Mike Coburn miss the front end of a 1-and-1 to give Seton Hall a chance to tie the game.

The Pirates did, but Inman made a remarkable game winner.