PISCATAWAY - Rutgers (3-0) established a 26-2 advantage in fast break points to run past Drexel (2-2) 62-57 Wednesday evening at the RAC. Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. both scored 13 points and Montez Mathis added 12 to help the Scarlet Knights improve to 27-4 in non-conference home games under head coach Steve Pikiell.
"We had a lot of balance on the floor, which I like," said Pikiell. "We're still figuring some things out too. I like our grit and I like that we kind of roll with our stops at the end of the game."
Rutgers led by as much as 10 points in the opening half, but the persistent Dragons would not relent and entered the locker room at the midpoint with a 31-30 edge.
The Scarlet Knights regained control after the break and led by eight with 10 minutes remaining. The Dragons answered with an 11-3 burst, however, and the home squad trailed 50-49 with five minutes to play. The Rutgers defense responded down the stretch, holding the visitors to just two field goals to secure the victory.
"They pose many problems," said Pikiell. "They have size and good coaches. I felt we weathered the storm and had a couple of runs. They went on a run and we went on a run to finish it out, but I like that down the stretch in the last four minutes, we sat down and guarded and made some big stops when we had to."
Rutgers, which led for more than 35 of the contest's 40 minutes, established a 42-36 advantage on the glass and issued eight blocked shots.
The Scarlet Knights return to the hardwood Saturday evening to meet St. Bonaventure north of the border in the Naismith Classic. The contest against the former Atlantic 10 Conference foe tips-off from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto at 7:30 p.m. (ET) live on ESPN Plus.
Fans can secure single tickets and flex ticket plans for the remainder of the homes schedule online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678).
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POSTGAME NOTES
- Rutgers made 20-of-25 free throws, for an 80% mark, the Scarlet Knights best percentage at the charity stripe when depositing 20 or more since a 28-of-34 (82.4%) performance at Purdue Feb. 26, 2015.
- Caleb McConnell has yet to commit a turnover this season in 52 minutes of action.
- Rutgers established a 26-2 advantage in fast break points and has a 74-24 advantage over opponents this season.
- Rutgers is now 27-4 in non-conference home games under Pikiell.
- Rutgers is 16-2 all-time against Drexel
- Ron Harper Jr. scored in double figures for the second time this season and the 12th time in his career.
- Harper Jr. grabbed a career-high tying eight rebounds, his second time leading RU on the boards this season and in his career.
- Montez Mathis scored in double figures for the second time this season and the 15th time in his career.
- Mathis threw down three slam dunks.
- Geo Baker, who entered the game leading all Big Ten guards in blocks (2.0 avg.) issued two rejections in the first half to maintain his average.
- Baker scored in double figures for the second time this season and 44th time in his career.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
On Ron Harper Jr.: "Well, I think as his coach, he did a great job. I really liked his defense today, certainly the last two games he's really stepped it up in that area. We had a lot of balance on the floor, which I like. We're still figuring some things out too. I like our grit and I like that we kind of roll with our stops at the end of the game."
On the starting five: "I like all eleven of our guys, I have confidence. You saw today Myles got in foul trouble right away, and had to go right to our bench, but I trust all of the guys. They all are going to play huge rolls in games. Tonight, all of these guys chipped in. The other night, we had a couple different guys out there. I think we're figuring it out, but all 11 are really, really important."
On the challenges they faced against Drexel: "I mean they have the best point guard in the CAA, the rookie of the year last year. You know you have to have screen coverage against that team. They shoot threes and multiple guys, so whenever you play a team that has multiple guys shooting threes, with a precision point guard, and Butler is the best big guy in that league. They pose many problems. They have size and good coaches. I felt we weathered the storm and had a couple of runs. They went on a run and we went on a run to finish it out, but I like that down the stretch in the last four minutes, we sat down and guarded and made some big stops when we had to."
Drexel Head Coach Zach Spiker
Thoughts on leading at the half and coming back to tie the game in the second half: "I thought we shot the ball with confidence during that run in the second half to get back into the game. We competed tonight."
On mentality coming in: "Compared to last year when we lost big, I thought our guys came in with an attitude to win. We had a number of guys who were here last year and we didn't want the same result. I thought we were competitive."
On balanced scoring: "I love the balanced scoring and the guys sharing the ball. One guy in double figures. I bunch of other guys with eight, six and nine (points). Not enough assists and too many turnovers, but that happens. Rutgers has great length and is active defensively. Credit to coach (Steve) Pikiell."
On offensive approach: "We were able to drive but didn't finish. Shooting 27 percent in the second half isn't going to do it. We took a lead but couldn't hang on."
Gallery: (11/13/2019) Men's Basketball vs. Drexel
