TORONTO, Ontario – Rutgers (3-1) reduced a 19-point first half deficit to four after the break, but could not complete the comeback, in an 80-74 loss to St. Bonaventure (1-3) Saturday evening in the Naismith Classic at Scotiabank Arena. Sophomore guard Caleb McConnell scored 13 points to lead four Scarlet Knights in double figures.

"We came back in the second half," said head coach Steve Pikiell. "I was proud of the final 20 minutes, but you can't spot a team that many points on the road. We've got to get better. Hopefully this is a real learning experience for us. The journey continues."

Sophomore Myles Johnson, who was limited by early foul trouble, scored 12 points to join McConnell in double figures, along with Geo Baker (11) and Akwasi Yeboah (10). The scoring outputs were aided by the play of junior guard Jacob Young, who dished-out a career-high eight assists as the Scarlet Knights accumulated 18 helpers on 24 field goals.

Rutgers scored the contest's first five points, propelled by a McConnell three-pointer. SBU countered with a 15-4 run, prompting an RU timeout. The Scarlet Knights struggled from the field, opening 4-of-17, while the Bonnies maintained a hot hand. St. Bonaventure built its advantage to as much as 19 points before entering the locker room at the midpoint with a 43-30 lead.

St. Bonaventure shot 58.6 percent (17-of-29), including 6-of-11 from behind the arc, in the opening 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Knights deposited 9-of-28 (32.1%) from the field and 3-of-14 (21.4%) from long range.

"I told the team this was the most dangerous game of the season for a lot of reasons," said Pikiell. "This is a team that's been hanging around and they have some very dangerous players. You saw what they did to us tonight. Basketball is a very humbling game. You have to play 40 minutes and you have to go on the road with a great mindset."

Rutgers responded in the second half by making nine of its initial 15 shots. After playing just four minutes in first frame, Johnson was 4-of-5 from the field after the break, including back-to-back dunks, to cut the deficit to 67-63 courtesy of an 8-0 run.

Despite out-rebounding SBU by a 39-31 margin and establishing a 24-11 advantage in bench points, the Scarlet Knights were unable to draw any closer.

Rutgers returns to the hardwood Wednesday evening to host Stephen F. Austin Wednesday in a 7 p.m. tip-off at the RAC. The contest will be streamed live on BTN Plus. Fans can secure single game tickets and flex ticket plans online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678).

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POSTGAME NOTES 

• Jacob Young dished-out a career-best eight assists.
• Caleb McConnell reached double-digit points for the first time this season and sixth time in his career, while setting his career-mark for free throw shooting (8-of-8).
• Geo Baker scored in double figures for the third time this season and 45th time in his career.
• Baker, who entered the game leading all Big Ten guards in blocks (2.0 avg.) had one rejection.
• Myles Johnson scored in double figures for the first time this season and seventh time in his career.
• Akwasi Yeboah scored in double figures for the third time this season and 73rd time in his career.
• Rutgers still holds the advantage in the all-time series with the Bonnies 21-19.