Eli Carter paced a balanced effort with 13 points as Rutgers pulled out a 65-58 victory over Notre Dame in Piscataway, N.J.

The Scarlet Knights (11-8, 3-3 Big East) got off to a hot start, shooting 56 percent in the first half to take a 37-28 advantage into the break, and they were able to hold it down the stretch.

The Fighting Irish (11-8, 3-3) closed the gap to two early in the second half and were still within four, 61-57, in the final minute, but poor foul shooting doomed the comeback bid. Notre Dame missed seven of its first nine free throws and finished the night just 5-for-13 from the line.

Both teams cooled off in the second half, with the visitors shooting 39 percent (11-for-28) after the intermission and Rutgers faring even worse at 33 percent (9-for-27).

Timely baskets helped the Scarlet Knights maintain the lead, however, including a 3-pointer by Carter that made it 61-53 with 5:12 to go. Notre Dame made just one field goal the rest of the way.

Eric Atkins led all scorers with 15 points for the Fighting Irish. Five players finished with at least nine points for Rutgers, including 10 each by Jerome Seagears and Austin Johnson.