Men's Basketball Extinguishes the Dragons

Sunday, November 11

Piscataway, N.J.

3 p.m.

Rutgers University

2-0

Drexel

0-2

Team	1	2	F
Drexel	37	29	66
Rutgers	44	51	95

Photo by: David Nemec

Nov 11 | Men's Basketball

Box Score RU Drexel PDF Box Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery RVision Highlights

PISCATAWAY – Rutgers (2-0) deposited 14 3-pointers, the second-most in program history, to defeat Drexel (0-2) 95-66 on Sunday afternoon in the Hub City Classic at the RAC. After the 90-55 win over FDU on Friday, it marked the first time in school history that the Scarlet Knights opened a season with consecutive wins of 25 points or more.

"They are really sharing the ball," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "These guys have multiple skills now. We have a lot of guys that can shoot, pass and dribble. We have some inside guys and a couple of rim protectors. They have worked hard and I am proud of them and my staff, but these guys put in the hours. They are gym all the time and have gotten better. They have gotten stronger, faster, and played well together."

Eugene Omoruyi had career-highs of 24 points and eight field goals with 10 rebounds en route to his second straight double-double. The junior co-captain was 4-of-4 behind the arc and has made multiple 3-pointers in both games this season. He has already attempted more three pointers this season (seven) than last (five).

"He is getting better at post moves, he is getting better around the basket and takes charges at the highest level of any player in our league," said Pikiell. "He is doing a lot of great things for us. He is a good worker and has a great motor."

Geo Baker, Issa Thiam, Peter Kiss and Montez Mathis joined Omoruyi in double digits. Baker was 9-of-16 to register 20 points, Thiam shot 5-of-7 to tally 14 points, Kiss was 4-of-4 for 13 points and Mathis added 10 points. The efforts contributed to RU's 52.4 (33-of-63) field goal percentage.

The Scarlet Knights, who out-rebounded the visitors 42-28, led from start to finish and held a 44-37 advantage at halftime. RU stretched its lead to as much as 35 points in the second half before securing the 29-point victory.

"This team can shoot it," said Drexel head coach Zach Spiker. "They shot it well last game and I was very concerned about that. They're an elite team in transition right now."

Rutgers returns to the hardwood on Friday to host St. John's in a 7 p.m. tip-off at the RAC as part of the Gavitt Games. The contest will be televised live on BTN with Cory Provus and Jon Crispin on the call. The Red Storm is receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches preseason polls.

Fans can secure single game tickets and flex ticket plans online, or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Additional information can obtained by visiting RutgersGameday.com.

Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.

Postgame Notes

Rutgers made 14 3-pointers, the second most in school history behind the 15 deposited at Syracuse on Feb. 1, 2006.
The Scarlet Knights won consecutive games by 25 or more points to begin a season for the first time in school history. It signaled the third time RU opened with a pair of 20 point wins, joining the 1935-36 and 2016-17 (Steve Pikiell's first season at RU) campaigns.
Rutgers scored 90 points in consecutive games to begin a season for the first time in school history.
The Scarlet Knights scored 90 points in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2005-06 season, when they defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 94-56 on Dec. 12 and Maine 91-56 on Dec. 15.
Rutgers had back-to-back games with double-digit 3-pointers for the first time since 2013 (10 versus William & Mary on Nov. 23 and 11 versus Stillman College on Nov. 25).
Eugene Omoruyi had career-highs of 24 points and eight field goals. It marked his 13^th career game scoring in double figures. After not making a 3-pointer in his first two seasons, Omoruyi was 4-of-4 behind the arc and has made multiple 3-pointers in both games this season. He has already attempted more three pointers this season (seven) than last (five).
Omoruyi had his second straight double-double, becoming the first RU player to have consecutive double-doubles since Deshawn Freeman, who accomplished the feat four times last season.
Omoruyi took two charges, and has drawn four on the year. He's drawn 39 charges in his career.
Geo Baker had his 22^nd career game scoring in double figures and his third career contest with 20 points or more.
Omoruyi (24) and Baker (20) were the first pair of Rutgers teammates to score 20 in the same game since Omoruyi (22) and Corey Sanders (20) did so against Florida State on Nov. 28, 2017
Peter Kiss reached double-figures with 13 points, the 23^rd time in his collegiate career scoring in double digits.
Rutgers is 20-3 in non-conference home games under Steve Pikiell.
Rutgers holds a 15-2 series advantage against Drexel, including a 6-2 mark at the RAC.
Rutgers is 13-2 in the month of November under Steve Pikiell.

Post-Game Quotes

Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
Opening Statement: "Appreciate you guys coming, it is a Sunday, thank you guys for coming to watch us play. (It was) tough game today with the quick turnaround. I was worried about our energy. I thought the guys picked it up, (there's) still a lot of work to do with this team but Geo (Baker) and Eugene (Omoruyi) did a good job today being veterans today. You need that veteran leadership. Really appreciate everyone coming, it was not as big crowd as the last game, but the student section came out and there was enthusiasm in the crowd. Really appreciate that and we are on to the next game."

On 26 made three-pointers over the first two games: "The guys know, after the game we do not really talk about points. We talk about our defense and we have to get better on that end of the floor. We have a lot of guys with good length. Eugene has worked hard, Geo has worked hard, every guy that came back has worked on something on their offense and the young guys can do some different things. So we are pleased for that but, we need to continue to work on defense."

On slow start defensively: "I am not going to nitpick, we are 2-0, which is what we needed to do, but we need to be better on that end of the floor, transition defense, individual defense. When you score like that, you forget about what really matters, passing the ball, rebounding the ball and being tough on defense. The offense is not going to be there every night. That is just the way it is but things you can count on that will be there every day. We need to continue to get better on those areas."

On efficiency and high scoring on offense: "They are really sharing the ball, these guys have multiple skills now. We have a lot of guys that can shoot, pass, and dribble. We have some inside guys and a couple of rim protectors. They have worked hard and I am proud of them and my staff, but these guys put in their hours. They are gym all the time and have gotten better. They have gotten stronger, faster, and played well together. The young guys have added some dimensions. Ron (Harper Jr.), Montez (Mathis), Caleb (McConnell), and Peter (Kiss) can shoot, so we have added some pieces."

On Eugene Omoruyi's improvement behind the arc: "I told you before the season started, I thought that he would be the most improved player. He has put in the work in the gym and these guys are good leaders too. They run the huddles, do a good job with the young guys, so it is not just about shots scored. He put that time in the summer. He is getting better at post moves, he is getting better around the basket and takes charges at the highest level of any player in our league, so he is doing a lot of great things for us. He is a good worker and has a great motor, practices hard."

On Issa Thiam going four for six behind the arc: "Issa has gotten better too. He is a guy we really count on, and he defends too. Things you do not read in the box score, Issa does so when we watch film. We really appreciate some of the intangibles that he gives us. He has gotten better, he puts it down a little bit and shoot the ball and he is post-up guy and he has gained a lot of weight since his freshman year, which has helped his development."

On looking ahead to facing St. John's on Friday night: "We got six newcomers, who will be ready to play. We have some time to prepare so I am excited. The guys will be excited. Hopefully the RAC is packed. Students can come out and make it a great environment, because I know these guys play better when we have those kinds of environment. That is what we are looking forward to, we will start preparing as soon as I get off the mic."

Drexel Head Coach Zach Spiker
On playing close in the first half: "I thought they had a really good start to the game and we didn't have a great start, but found a way to battle back and be involved there. Halftime down seven with the way we played, I thought that was an acceptable number. We hadn't played our best, go out and play better. But Rutgers had another gear too. We didn't play better, they did and that created a pretty significant margin. Have to go back and look, but I think we had some hands up on those shots went in, some other shots we didn't. I have to look and see."

On cutting the deficit to three: "We had the ball in the air (at that point). We are capable of doing some things, but can we do it for 40 minutes is the question we are all going to ask. And when we do it, can we do it again? But credit goes to coach (Steve) Pikiell and his staff. They have Geo Baker, he's a talented player and has made himself into what he is right now. He has improved dramatically from his freshman year to his sophomore year, I think everyone would say that. He's changed his body a ton. And another guy is Peter Kiss. He was at Quinnipiac when we beat them two years ago. We did a good job on him (that game). Peter Kiss has probably changed his body too in the last 18 months. He hit some tough shots today. Number five, Eugene (Omoruyi) goes 4-for-4 from three, he's certainly improved that part of his game. We didn't make it easier because we didn't take care of the basketball. Eighteen turnovers, there's not a game on our schedule that will be rewarded with a victory with 18 turnovers."

On team coming together: "It will take more time than I want. I want it done now. Yes, it will. There will be some great teaching points. We will learn from it, watch it, get through it, get in the film room, get back on the floor and be ready for our next opportunity."

On playing a Big Ten team: "When we go to the tournament, we'll be playing a Big Ten team as well. They are going to be big, strong and we need to do a better job that we did today."

On Rutgers making 14 three pointers: "They are certainly capable of it. This team can shoot it. They shot it well last game and I was very concerned about that. They're an elite team in transition right now, tough to be matched up. We gave one there was no one within three feet of him. There were others when I thought we were in their shorts. You can't give clean looks. Let's watch (the film) and see."