NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Rutgers is playing like anything but a last-place team right now.
On Thursday, the Scarlett Knights pulled off the second upset in as many nights in the Big Ten tournament at Madison Square Garden, beating sixth-seeded Indiana, 76-69.
Fourteenth-seeded Rutgers, which went 15-18 in the regular season and just 3-15 in the conference, trailed by as many as 16 points in the first half before finding their footing against the Hoosiers.
"Once we got back to where we wanted to be, our guys did a great job of keeping that lead, and Rutgers Nation was going crazy, Madison Square Garden was jumping, and just an exciting two days for us and looking forward to tonight," coach Steve Pikiell told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on Friday.
MORE: Boomer, Gio & Jerry Recco Discuss Rutgers Win
In the tournament opener on Wednesday night, the Scarlet Knights defeated Minnesota, the 11th seed, 65-54.
Junior guard Corey Sanders came up big for Rutgers on Thursday, scoring 28 points.
"Really playing at a high level," Pikiell said. "And we went into this tournament, and I think he's one of the better guards in this league, and he hasn't gotten that kind of respect with the ballots and all those things and the awards at the end of the year."
Forward Deshawn Freeman added 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
"Really was a huge key in the first half because when we were really struggling, he came in off the bench and gave us huge energy," Pikiell said. "You know, he's a senior and doesn't want the season to end."
The challenge will be a lot tougher for the Scarlet Knights in the quarterfinals Friday night, when they'll face third-seeded Purdue (26-5), ranked No. 8 in the nation.
"As good a team as there is," Pikiell said. "There's really no weaknesses. They have huge size. They're second in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage -- they make 10 a game, which is No. 1 in our conference. Their defensive and offensive numbers are off the charts. Matt Painter's a really good coach and four seniors in the starting lineup. So a team and a program that has won a lot and having a lot of veterans that lead them. So we're going to have to play great basketball, and we're capable of that."
To listen to the interview, click on the audio player above.