Freshman Carter propels Rutgers past No. 10 Florida in double OT

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Mike Rice has been waiting for his kids at Rutgers to grow up, buy into the system and start showing the talent he knew they had. They finally did against No. 10 Florida.

Freshman Eli Carter scored a season-high 31 points and made the go-ahead basket in the second overtime as Rutgers stunned the Gators 85-83 on Thursday after rallying from deficits in regulation and the first overtime.

"This is what happens when you believe," Rice said. "This is what happens when you don't think the impossible is possible. This is what happens when you follow the formula, when you play for one another. (We) had the will and the determination."

Carter finished 12 of 24 from the field, and 2 of 5 on 3-pointers, hitting from long range to tie the game with 18 seconds left in the first overtime.

"My teammates had confidence in me," Carter said. "I took the big shot and made it."

The Scarlet Knights (8-5) also came back from a seven-point deficit late in regulation to post their biggest victory since knocking off No. 9 Villanova at home last season.

Erving Walker had a chance to tie the game for the Gators (11-2) in the final seconds, but his off-balance attempt from the foul line bounced off the rim.

Scarlet Knights fans stormed the court to celebrate in a game billed as the return of former Rutgers star and current Gator Mike Rosario to Piscataway.

Dane Miller added 16 points, Myles Mack had 14 and Jerome Seagears 13 for Rutgers, which won its fourth straight game and snapped the Gators' five-game winning streak.

"I thought the difference in the game, in my opinion, was I thought their guys played the right way," said Florida coach Billy Donovan, who felt his team got off to a good start and then showed only brief flashes after that.

Kenny Boynton matched his season high with 26 points for Florida. Bradley Beal added 15 and Erik Murphy had 14 points and eight rebounds. Rosario scored five points in his return and he was booed every time he touched the ball or cheered every time he missed a shot.