Rutgers University
Virginia
MBB ousted by No. 8/7 Virginia
Nov 29 | Men's Basketball
Box Score
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Nov. 29, 2014) - In the championship game of the Barclays Center Classic, Rutgers (3-3) fought hard in a defensive battle against No. 8/7 Virginia (7-0), ultimately falling to the Cavaliers, 45-26. The Scarlet Knights limited UVA to a season-low 32.7 percent (18-of-55) shooting, but were unable to tweak the twine themselves against the ACC team which entered the contest ranked second nationally in scoring defense.
In the first half, Virginia got out to a hot start against a Scarlet Knights squad coming off a battle down to the final seconds in the previous night's 68-65 win over Vanderbilt. The Cavaliers got out to an 11-3 lead at the 12:36 mark of the first half.
From there, Rutgers defense locked down on UVA, spurred on by Greg Lewis, who surpassed his career high by recording four blocks early in the first half. Rutgers got back into the mix with a 6-0 run, before a Myles Mack floater later tied the game at 15-15. On the following possession, Lewis converted an old-fashioned three point play, propelling RU into the lead for the first time.
UVA continued to be frustrated by the Rutgers defense, as the Scarlet Knights' active pressure held UVA to just six points over the final 12:36 of the stanza. After a low-scoring half, Rutgers took an 18-17 advantage into the locker room at the midpoint.
Virginia regained its momentum to begin the second half, making four of their first eight shots in the frame to claim a 31-24 lead. The nation's No. 4 field goal percentage defense clamped down on the Scarlet Knights, as Rutgers went scoreless for 9:24, and UVA expanded its advantage.
Ultimately, the Scarlet Knights could not crack the Virginia defense, and fell by a a 19-point margin. The Cavaliers scored the contest's final 11 points.
Kadeem Jack and Mack were named to the Barclays Center Classic All-Tournament Team.
Next up, Rutgers will travel to Clemson, S.C., where they will take on the Clemson Tigers as part of the ACC - Big Ten Challenge. Tip-off on Monday night is at 7 p.m. The contest will be televised live on ESPNU.
Postgame Notes
· Greg Lewis set a career high in blocks, finishing with five. He surpassed his career-high with three blocks in the first four minutes of the game.
· Myles Mack had two steals in the game, giving him 176 for his career. He moved past Mike Jones for fifth on the all-time list.
· Rutgers held UVA to its lowest scoring half of the season by allowing just 17 points in the first stanza, including holding the Cavaliers to just six points in the final 12:36.
· Kadeem Jack led the team in scoring for the first time this season and the 13th time in his career.
· Junior Etou led the team in rebounding for the fifth time this season and the ninth time in his career.
· Virginia's 45 points were the second lowest total allowed by Rutgers this season.
· Rutgers held UVA to 32.7% shooting (18-of-55)
· Rutgers' starting lineup was guard Myles Mack, guard Mike Williams, forward Junior Etou, forward Kadeem Jack and center Greg Lewis. It was Williams' first career start and the fourth different starting lineup for Rutgers in the first six games.
