Scarlet Knights Defeat Northwood, 68-57, in Exhibition Opener
Nov 03 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Four Scarlet Knights scored in double figures as Rutgers shot 50 percent from the field to defeat visiting Northwood 68-57 in a Saturday afternoon exhibition at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Courtney Nelson (Newark, N.J.) posted 16 points, Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J.) and JR Inman (Pomona, N.Y.) each registered 14, and Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) added 10 to pace RU in its first action of the 2007-08 campaign.
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JR Inman finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Photo by Jim O'Connor/NJ Sport Pics |
After trailing briefly in the early stages, Inman deposited a three pointer to give Rutgers an 8-6 advantage prior to the game's first media timeout. After the trey, the first of seven that RU would drain from long range, the Scarlet Knights would lead for the remainder of the contest. The home squad ran its first half advantage to 15 points (33-18) on a Farmer lay-up before taking a 35-27 lead into the locker room at the midpoint.
With a roster comprised of three Division I transfers, including two from BIG EAST programs, Northwood held tough after the break. The Seahawks deposited eight free throws prior to the 12:00 minute mark of the second half, before reducing their deficit to one point (46-45) on a three-pointer by Baree Ward with 11:00 minutes remaining in regulation.
The Scarlet Knights answered the challenge with seven consecutive points provided by true freshmen. A jumper from Mike Coburn (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) was followed by a three-pointer and lay-up from Chandler to provide the home squad a 53-45 lead. Five true freshmen saw action for Rutgers, including fellow scholarship newcomer Earl Pettis (Philadelphia, Pa.), who scored six points on a pair of three pointers.
"Our freshmen are very good players," said Hill. "There are going to be nights when they play like freshmen, and there are going to be nights when they look very good. Today, we got a little bit of everything. Corey, Mike and Earl did some great things, but they also looked like freshmen at times. They are an integral part of what we are doing and they are going to get minutes. This was a great first test and I was very pleased about the way they played as a group today."
Rutgers increased its advantage to 15 points for a second time when Farmer converted twice from the charity stripe to produce a 67-52 score with just 2:45 on the clock. Seahawk Marvin Owens, who scored a game-high 24 points, posted five of the contest's final six points to register the 68-57 final.
Rutgers made 27 of 54 field goal attempts, including seven of 14 from behind the arc. Northwood deposited just 33.9 percent of its shots (20-59), including five of 11 from long range. The Scarlet Knights also out-rebounded the visitors, grabbing 42 boards, while the Seahawks cleaned the glass on 30 occasions. Inman grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to post the contests' only double-double.
Rutgers senior team captain Byron Joynes (Baltimore, Md.), who sat out last year due to an injury, saw his first game action since the 2005-06 season finale. In 17 minutes of action, he posted four points and grabbed two rebounds.
"It was a long time for Byron and I think that he has to get comfortable out there playing again, " said Hill. "He certainly did some good things. He's also a little banged-up. He's not hurt or injured, but he's banged-up'?We have to keep him loose and get him on the floor, so that he can get minutes. He has to get comfortable. It has been a while since he played in a competitive game."
The Scarlet Knights regular season tips off versus Tennessee Tech this Friday evening, November 9, in the first of three games in a span of four days at the RAC as part of the Blue Ribbon Challenge. For tickets, contact the Rutgers Athletic Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU (4678).
