Eli Carter comes off the bench and scores 23 as Rutgers surprises No. 24 Pittsburgh 67-62

Pittsburgh's Trey Zeigler (23) has his shot blocked by Rutgers defender Wally Judge (33) as Rutgers' Mike Poole (10) helps out defending during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Pittsburgh's Trey Zeigler (23) looks to take a shot between Rutgers defenders Mike Poole (10) and Wally Judge (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Eli Carter scored 23 points and Rutgers held off a second-half rally to defeat No. 24 Pittsburgh 67-62 on Saturday, handing the Panthers their second straight loss.

The victory was the first for Rutgers coach Mike Rice since returning from a three-game school-imposed suspension for inappropriate behavior earlier this week.

The Scarlet Knights (10-3, 1-1 Big East) led by 14 points at halftime only to see the Panthers (12-3, 0-2) twice close the gap to two points in the final 5 minutes, the last time at 55-53 on a dunk by Steven Adams with 3:24 to play.

Carter, who came off the bench for only the fourth time this season, hit a 10-footer in the lane with 2:53 to go and Dane Miller added two free throws after James Robinson and Tray Woodall missed 3-pointers on the ensuing possession to secure the game.