Impressive effort by the Rutgers basketball team in defeat

I firmly believe there is no such thing as a moral victory.  Athletes and teams compete to win, not come in second.  But there are certainly losing efforts that can be applauded and I think Saturday night’s 65-62 hard-fought home defeat to number-two Pittsburgh is one of those instances for the Rutgers basketball team.  First-year head coach Mike Rice had his Scarlet Knghts battling the Panthers to the very end until Dane Miller’s three-point field goal attempt richoted off the backboard.  In the end, free-throw shooting proved to be the difference.  Pitt shot 28 for 35; R-U 13 for 18.  The Knights made six more field goals which makes the loss tough to take.  But it was another step forward for Rice who attempts to rebuild the Rutgers basketball program.