Rutgers Basketball recovers from slow start, squeaks past American
Rutgers Basketball has made it through its first four games undefeated. Though it may not earn style points while doing it.
The Scarlet Knights (4-0) bounced back after a rough opening eight minutes to come up with a strong offensive second half to defeat American 80-71. The Eagles led for 17 minutes on the night, but it took the lead for good to start the second half and never trailed in the final 20 minutes.
Dylan Grant led the way for the Scarlet Knights once again with another double-double, scoring a game-high 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Tariq Francis had another efficient shooting performance, scoring 19 points while dishing four assists. Denis Badalau and Darren Buchanan Jr. each added ten points in 25 and 20 minutes, respectively.
The Eagles (2-3) had two players with double-digit points, led by 12 points off the bench from Madden Collins, and 11 points from Greg Jones.
Porous perimeter
The Eagles’ biggest threat as an offense this season has been their ability to shoot three-pointers at will.
They lived up to that billing – and then some – in an early run to storm ahead, making six of their first nine three-point attempts to take a 22-11 lead in the game’s opening eight minutes.
American’s motion-heavy, four-out offense put the Scarlet Knights’ defense in circles at times, as the Eagles were able to stay close in the second half even after the offense began to dry up.
After the Eagles’ scorching start, the defense calmed down, however. They finished the first half shooting just 3-for-12 from the three-point line, and hit just one of their five deep attempts for much of the second half.
The Scarlet Knights themselves had a solid night from beyond the arc, as well, shooting 6-for-13 for the game, and 4-for-5 in the second half.
Once Rutgers was able to force some misses – and get some better fortune on open looks – the game slowed down and the Scarlet Knights’ physicality took over.
Second-half size takes over
In each of Rutgers’ first two wins, head coach Steve Pikiell implored Grant to take over and be “the guy,” and both times Grant answered the call.
This time, the Scarlet Knights’ offense as a whole took a step forward, shooting nearly 70 percent from the floor and the free-throw line.
Grant and Francis led the efforts in this second half, each scoring in double figures and leading the drive-and-kick game. Francis knocked down two three-pointers and dished out three assists to help bury the Eagles.
Though the Scarlet Knights faced off against a struggling defense – American has allowed over 78 points to each of its previous Division I opponents – the second-half efficiency once again showed the offense does have more to offer. Though it may have taken longer than it should have.
Rutgers also gained the advantage on the boards – as it should have – helping keep the Eagles off of extra opportunities. The Scarlet Knights finished with a 40-32 advantage on the glass, and out-scored American 16-10 in second-chance points.
A tad too close
It is hard to complain with four straight wins to start the season, but there have been some factors to start that have caused concern, even if just nit-picking.
The Scarlet Knights once again struggled to fully put away a low- or mid-major opponent it had a talent advantage over, especially late, given that American hung around within single-digits for much of the final minutes.
Defensively, the Eagles certainly added a new wrinkle with its style to deal with, but even the offense struggled with its shot quality. For much of the first half, Rutgers took – and missed – too many mid-range looks, but flexed its offensive muscle in the second half to pull ahead.
It certainly leaves reason for concern about how the Scarlet Knights will fare with three high-major opponents on deck in Las Vegas, and the Big Ten slate coming up soon.
Up next
The Scarlet Knights will be back in action on Friday night, as they host Central Connecticut State. That game will tip off at 6:30 pm and will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
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