Jan. 18, 2000
By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) – Freshman point guard Todd Billet tied a school record with eight 3-pointers and scored a career-high 31 points to lead Rutgers to a 76-51 victory over Notre Dame on Tuesday night.
The game marked the return of scoring sensation Troy Murphy to his home state of New Jersey, but the game turned into a disaster for the Irish sophomore. He was limited to 18 points before fouling out with 1:26 to go and was booed every time he touched the ball as Notre Dame (11-7, 2-2 Big East) was held to a season-low point total.
Billet, who had scored just 28 points combined in his last three games on nine of 28 shooting, hit 10 of 16 from the field. He was almost unstoppable in the first half in helping Rutgers (10-6, 2-2) open the game with a 32-9 spurt.
Billet hit six of eight 3-pointers – including five straight in one stretch – and scored 20 points in the half.
Billet’s eight 3s matched Donnell Lumpkin’s school record set against St. Bonaventure in 1993. The total was also a season best for a Big East player this season, one better than the Xavier Singletary of Boston College and Preston Shumpert of Syracuse, also against Notre Dame.
Billet finished eight of 12 from long range in this game, and Rutgers made a season-best 13 3-pointers on 22 attempts, 59 percent. The team total was one shy of the school record.
Murphy, who was averaging just under 25 points, never got going against burly Rutgers center Rashod Kent. He finished five of 16 from the field and eight of 12 from the free throw line. His frustration showed late when he was hit with a technical that resulted in Billet’s final points.