Rutgers University
Miami University (OH)
Scarlet Knights Fall to Miami (OH) in Chicago Invitational Consolation
Nov 25 | Men's Basketball
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The Rutgers men's basketball team (1-4) limited Miami-Ohio (3-3) to 22.2 percent shooting from the floor in the first half, but a late rally in the second half helped propel the Redhawks past the Scarlet Knights 57-44, in the final round of the Chicago Challenge Invitational on Saturday night.
Sophomore forward JR Inman (Pomona, N.Y.) recorded his fifth straight double-digit performance with a team-high 11 points, while classmates Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) and Jaron Griffin (Manchester, N.J) added nine points apiece. Inman's five consecutive double-figure games are a career high. Farmer also dished out three assists, while Griffin matched his career high with two steals.
Miami-Ohio held an eight-point lead (11-3) at the 12:48 mark in the first half, but the Scarlet Knights would battle back, cutting the deficit to three (11-8) on Farmer's three-point basket and a layup from Inman. The Redhawks later connected on a free throw to extend its lead before Inman responded with a three-pointer, bringing Rutgers within one point (12-11) with 7:03 remaining in the half.
Senior guard Marquis Webb (Paterson, N.J.) and sophomore guard Courtney Nelson (Newark, N.J.) each hit a jumper, while senior center Frank Russell (Fayetteville, N.C.) scored in the paint to help the Scarlet Knights secure a 17-15 lead with 2:23 left until halftime. The Redhawks eventually reclaimed the lead on a three pointer by freshman guard Alex Moosmann to make it 18-17 at the half.
After the break, Miami-Ohio widened its lead to six points (34-28) with 11:10 on the clock. RU chipped away at the Redhawks' margin, cutting the deficit to one (34-33) on five straight points from Inman, Farmer and Griffin. However, Miami-Ohio withstood the Scarlet Knight's second half rally and out-scored Rutgers 23-11 in the final six minutes of the game, on its way to a 57-44 victory.
Inman tied the Redhawks' Nathan Peavy with a game-high nine rebounds, while senior forward Adrian Hill (Canton, Ohio) grabbed seven boards. Freshman center Hamady N'Diaye (Dakar, Senegal) chipped in six rebounds and two blocks in a season-high 19 minutes of action. N'Diaye has blocked a shot in each of the five games he has played in.
Junior forward Tim Pollitz led the Redhawks with 13 points, followed by Moosmann with 12 and Peavy with 11.
The Scarlet Knights will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 29, for a road contest against the Temple Owls. Tip-off at Liacouras Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
