Ndiaye Leads RU to 85-77 Victory at Delaware

Sunday, November 16

Newark, Del.

4:00 PM

Rutgers University

Delaware

Nov 16 | Men's Basketball

NEWARK, Del. - The Scarlet Knights shot 60.4 percent (29-48) and overcame an 11-point first half deficit in an 85-77 victory over Delaware Sunday afternoon at the Carpenter Center. Junior center Hamady Ndiaye (Dakar, Senegal) was a dominant force, shooting 11-of-14 from the field en route to a career-high 26 points, while also grabbing eight rebounds and registering three blocks.

“Hamady was outstanding,” said head coach Fred Hill. “He played an unbelievable game. “In my 28 seasons of coaching, I have never seen a young man come so far in two years. The last two games, I think we have got a little glimpse. He has a lot of room to grow, still. He’s the poster child for coach-ability, hard work, being a good kid, listening and just getting better and better.”

Ndiaye was joined in double figures by a trio of teammates. Freshman guard Mike Rosario (Jersey City, N.J.) netted 17 points on five-of-seven shooting, while playing a team-high 33 minutes and grabbing five rebounds. Fellow rookie Gregory Echenique (Guatire Venezuela) was five-of-seven from the field as well, to contribute 10 points. Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J.) came off the bench to provide a major spark. In 15 minutes, the sophomore guard shot five-of-nine, including three-of-four from behind the arc, to score 13 points, while also tallying six rebounds.

Despite the Scarlet Knights’ sizzling final field goal percentage, it was Delaware that came out with the hot hand. The Blue Hens made five of their initial eight three-point attempts en route to a 27-16 advantage with 11:23 on the first half clock. Rutgers responded with a 14-2 run, capped by an Echenique slam dunk to take a 30-29 lead. Seven of the opening stanza’s final nine points were scored by Scarlet jerseys, as RU took a 45-39 lead into the locker room at the midpoint.

After intermission, Rutgers (2-0) established a nine point lead (48-39), before Delaware (0-1) displayed some of its own mettle. The Blue Hens went on a 12-2 run to take a 51-50 edge with 13:05 remaining. It would be the last lead of the afternoon for the home squad, however. The Scarlet Knights scored 12 straight points to take an eleven point lead (62-51), their largest of the game, with 9:40 showing on the clock.

Delaware twice reduced its deficit to three points in the late stages but clutch free throw shooting by senior guard Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) and Rosario sealed the win for the Scarlet Knights.

Rutgers returns to the hardwood Friday to meet Robert Morris in an 8:00 p.m. tip-off at the RAC. The game is the third of four contests the Scarlet Knights will play in the Garden State Challenge to begin the season.