PISCATAWAY (Nov. 10, 2017) – Sophomore Issa Thiam had his first career double-double, registering 19 points and 11 rebounds, to help Rutgers to a 94-38 win over the City College of New York on Friday evening at the RAC in the 2017-18 season opener. The 56-point win tied the largest margin of victory in program history, as the Scarlet Knights improved to 9-0 in non-conference home games under head coach Steve Pikiell.

"To start off the year 1-0, that was our goal going in," said Pikiell. "We had a great crowd. I loved the student section, it was awesome to see. We played a lot of guys tonight. We did some good things, and we have to improve on a lot of things. They came out ready to play and took care of business early."

Rutgers led from start to finish, building its advantage to as much as 61 points, while shooting 61.3 percent (38-of-62). The Scarlet Knights dominated down low, out-rebounding the Beavers 60-20 and establishing a 68-8 advantage in points in the paint. It marked the most rebounds in a game since Dec. 7, 1992, when RU grabbed 74 against Keene State.

Thiam was 7-of-13 from the field and was joined in double-digits by Deshawn Freeman (16), Corey Sanders (12) and Geo Baker (10). Freeman was a perfect 7-of-7 shooting, while both Sanders and Baker deposited 5-of-9.

"It was good to get some guys up and down the floor," said Pikiell. "We saw a lot of improvement with a lot of our guys tonight. Issa starts the game off and gets a double-double. Deshawn takes care of business, Corey was hard to guard. We got good efforts from a lot of guys, and we'll move quickly on to the next one."

The Scarlet Knights posted the game's first nine points and never looked back. The home squad entered the locker room at the midpoint with a 51-13 advantage.

Thirteen players saw action for Rutgers, with 12 scoring points, including five that registered their first Division I digits.

RU, which plays three games over five days to open its season, hosts Central Connecticut State on Sunday in a 2:30 p.m. tip-off. The Scarlet Knights have defeated the Blue Devils in each of the past two seasons, including a 79-37 win at the RAC last year. The game will be streamed live via the web on BTN Plus.

Single game tickets are available online or by calling the Rutgers Ticket Office at 1-866-445-GORU. Fans also have the opportunity flex ticket plans, which enable them to select any four games from the home schedule to create their own package. Flex ticket plans are $140 for 200 level center tickets, $120 for 200 level wing tickets, and $60 for 300 level tickets.

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Postgame Notes

• The 94-38 win tied the largest margin of victory in program history, matching the 56-point (91-35) win over Trenton State on Dec. 9, 1936.
• The 60 rebounds were Rutgers' most in a game since grabbing 74 against Keene State on Dec. 7, 1992.
• Rutgers scored its most points in a game since posting 116 versus Stillman College on Nov. 25, 2013.
• The Scarlet Knights improved to 9-0 in non-conference home games under head coach Steve Pikiell.
• Rutgers is 77-29 all-time in season openers.
• Sophomore Issa Thiam had his first career double-double, setting career bests in points (19) and rebounds (11). It marked the first time he led the team in either scoring or rebounding.
• Junior Corey Sanders and senior Deshawn Freeman scored in double-digits for the 45th and 25th time, respectively.
• Junior Shaq Doorson had a career-high seven points.
• Freshmen Mamadou Doucoure, Geo Baker and Luke Nathan, sophomore Joey Downes, and junior Souf Mensah all played in their first Division I collegiate game. Doucoure and Baker both earned starts.
• Rutgers scored over 90 points for the first time since Feb. 1, 2014  (Rutgers 93, Houston 70)
   

Postgame Quotes

Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell

Opening statement …

We had a great crowd. I loved the student section, it was awesome to see. To start off the year 1-0, that was our goal going in. We played a lot of guys tonight. We did some good things, and we have to improve on a lot of things. They came out ready to play and took care of business early."

Biggest takeaways …

"It was good to get some guys up and down the floor. Shaq has been kind of sidelined for a little bit with his injury. I think you saw the improvement with a lot of our players. Issa starts the game off and gets a double-double. Deshawn takes care of business. Corey is hard to guard. He can't get into foul trouble, we'll make sure that doesn't happen on Sunday. Got good efforts from a lot of good guys. You move quickly onto the next one."

On the Importance of Early Wins …

"Even at the end there, when those guys who don't play a lot got in, you saw the veterans were up and cheering for those guys. They work hard. Joey, Jake, Luke, and those guys; for them to get some minutes was a great thing."

On reviewing tonight…

"I also wanted to get a good feel with the lights on. It was a great crowd. There were a lot of good things to take out of this today. These guys didn't have to log a lot of minutes because the next few games they're going to be logging a lot of minutes. So, they're going to take care of their bodies. It's about game prep. We go into the next game with a little bit more experience that way. Then, we've got another game on Tuesday."

On the victory providing a source of pride moving forward …

"Points are never our goal and we've got to play better. It's our first step. It's a long journey. This is a long season and chapter one was tonight. We took care of business. We've had a heck of a week. We had the charity game where we were able to raise $15,000 for the American Red Cross, that was great. We got three national letters of intent the last couple of days. They're digging right outside here with our new practice facility. Now, we're 1 and 0, we've got two good veteran players right here that are good leaders and have improved and worked hard this summer. We've got a lot of good things going on at Rutgers. Our football team is at Penn State tomorrow, that's going to be another good game. So, we're excited and we're excited about Sunday too. So, hopefully the fans and the crowd come back just like today and we can play well and keep improving."

CCNY Head Coach Paul Dail 

On how his team competed …
 "My team played hard. It's a brand new team, a brand new coaching staff, they have a lot to get used to. The physical approach, Division I to Division III is a big difference. But, I feel overall my team gave it the best effort they possibly can."

On positive takeaways…
"I liked the drives and picks. I played that late in the game. I feel like they could've been doing that the entire game. But like I said, it was their first time playing on a college court, so they had to get used to it. I felt that they stepped up to the challenge tonight. Our bigs, they were kinda overmatched, but my guards, I feel like they really brought it to Rutgers."

On the game plan coming in…
"My goal was to get them to get the feel of a basketball game in college. It doesn't matter where I'm playing. Granted, Division I, Division III. Now, I feel like in Division III level they'll be top notch. They'll be unstoppable. I'm 100% guaranteed of my team after this game they're going to go in full force. I saw that in the second half especially tonight."