Magic Johnson reacts to Ron Harper Jr.'s dramatic game-winner vs. No. 1 Purdue
Thursday night turned into a game for the ages for Rutgers and Ron Harper Jr. With a visit from No. 1 Purdue, the Scarlet Knights were expected to go down behind a deep and talented Boilermakers squad.
Fortunately for Rutgers, Harper had an incredible double-double. He had already put up 27 points and 10 rebounds prior to the final shot of the game, but Harper still saved his best for last.
A half-court heave by Harper was pure and gave the Scarlet Knights a 70-68 upset over the top team in the nation. Harper finished the win with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and finished 5-for-7 from 3-point range.
After the win, Hall of Famer Magic Johnson reacted to the incredible finish on social media:
“Just watched Ron Harper Jr., the son of my friend, hit a buzzer beater for Rutgers to beat the #1 team in the country Purdue 70-68,” wrote Johnson. “He got the inbound pass at 3 seconds, dribbled past half-court, and pulled up for the game-winning 3 point shot! Wow wow wow!”
Just watched Ron Harper Jr., the son of my friend, hit a buzzer beater for Rutgers to beat the #1 team in the country Purdue 70-68! He got the inbound pass at 3 seconds, dribbled past half-court, and pulled up for the game-winning 3 point shot! Wow wow wow! 🤯
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 10, 2021
It goes down as Purdue’s first loss of the season for a team expected to win the B1G and compete for a national title. Meanwhile, Rutgers pulls to 5-4 (1-1 in the B1G) to start the season.