Rutgers University
Providence
After Strong Opening Half, Scarlet Knights Fall At Providence
Jan 09 | Men's Basketball
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Junior JR Inman (Pomona, N.Y.) scored 11 points and Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) tallied 10, but it wasn't enough as Rutgers fell to Providence 76-50 Wednesday evening at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. The game was a tight contest for the initial 25 minutes, until cold shooting by the Scarlet Knights once again proved the deciding factor.
The opening half featured five lead changes and three ties. Rutgers (8-8, 0-3) jumped-out to a 16-9 lead, their largest advantage of the game, after an Inman jumper with 14:14 remaining before the midpoint. The Friars battled back and took the lead, but a six point run, capped by a Byron Joynes (Baltimore, Md.) layup, resulted in a 24-19 RU advantage with 7:41 on the first half clock. The remainder of the opening stanza was a back-and-forth affair, with the home squad entering the locker room at intermission with a slim, 35-34, edge.
The Scarlet Knights made 50 percent (12-24) of their first half shots, including four of eight from behind the arc. The final 20 minutes, however, was decidedly different.
With 16:38 remaining it was a two point game, 40-38, after an Inman free throw. It would be the closest the Scarlet Knights would come. RU would connect on just one field goal the rest of the contest en route to a total of 16 second half points, 12 courtesy of free throws. After Providence (10-5, 1-2) established its largest lead, Rutgers scored the contest's final four points from the charity stripe to register the 76-50 final.
The Friars had three players register double digits before the home crowd, including a game-high 23 points by Brian McKenzie.
The Scarlet Knights return to the hardwood on Sunday, Jan. 13, when they host BIG EAST foe Louisville in a 12:00 noon tip-off at the RAC. The game will be televised live on MSG.
Game Notes
Freshman Earl Pettis (Philadelphia, Pa.) tallied eight points, a career-high. His previous high was seven, set against Manhattan on Dec. 29.
Freshman Mike Coburn (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) played 36 minutes, a career-high. His previous high was 33 against Georgetown on Jan. 5.
Junior Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) has scored in double-digits in 11 of the team's 16 games this season. His career-high for double-digit scoring games in a season is 12, set in 2005-06.
Through 16 games, Farmer is averaging a career-high 11.2 points per game. His previous high was 8.3 in 2005-06.
