PISCATAWAY. N.J. – The Rutgers men's basketball team showed out in their home-opener and a new face shined the brightest.
 
Freshman Gavin Griffiths led the way with a game-high 25 points as the Scarlet Knights opened up the second half on a 25-6 run to oust Boston University 69-45 at Jersey Mike's Arena on Friday night in front of a sold-out crowd.

"It felt great playing in front of the fans for the first time," Griffiths said. "My coaches have been giving me confidence and telling me to keep shooting and I played with great confidence today. I think that during that stretch I had a couple mismatches that I had the advantage and just wanted to take advantage of. My teammates were doing a great job of giving me the ball and I was in a great position.  
 
The Simsbury, Conn. native shot 9-for-15 from the field, had three three-pointers and added four rebounds. Griffiths' 25 points are the most in a home-opener by any Scarlet Knights player since Kadeem Jack scored 30 points against Florida A&M on Nov. 8 in 2013.

Grad student Aundre Hyatt scored 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and added four rebounds of his own. Senior center Clifford Omoruyi and redshirt freshman forward Antonio Chol each added five points on the night.

"I felt great out there tonight," Hyatt said. "We really wanted to score in transition and wanted to run our half-court sets. I think we did a good job with both and dictating the pace of play."

The Scarlet Knights will host Bryant next at noon on Sunday at Jersey Mike's Arena.


 
Game Notes:

• RU outscored BU 39-23 in the second half.
• RU had 28 points in the paint compared to BU's ten.
• RU had 18 second-chance points and held BU to three.
• Rutgers scored 23 fast break points and held BU to five.
• Rutgers bench outscored BU's 39 to 23.
• The Scarlet Knights outrebounded BU 48-28.
• Nine Scarlet Knights scored in tonight's game.

Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Steve Pikiell
 
Opening Statement:
 
"Welcome back everyone. It's good to be home playing in front of our home crowd. I appreciate everyone showing up early. We played a little better than we did the other night, but we need to improve. These guys got us off to a really good start but I liked how we flipped the script on our rebounding. We had two really good days of preparation and we were really locked in. Again, we have to get better. We turned the ball over too much, but we were energized by the crowd, the band, the cheerleaders, and all of that. I love playing here at Jersey Mike's, that's for sure."

On new starting lineup:

"I liked the way everyone responded. Princeton was really good, but I was really disappointed in our ability to rebound, and [Antwone] Woolfolk has been our best rebounder. I thought we would give him a chance, and obviously, we rebounded much better. We were a lot more physical today, but we're still going to give everybody a chance. We have a lot of guys that deserve to start, and we will have Mawot [Mag] back, who started every game last year too. I never put a huge focus on starting lineups. The guys that play well play a lot of minutes, and again I liked the way we responded to a tough couple of days. We had some good prep and we have to do the same thing. Bryant is talented and we have one day to prepare for them."
 
On turnover difference in the second half:

"I think our guys settled in and did a really good job about being focused. In the last six minutes of the first half we didn't turn the ball over and then we started the second half on a big run. We have to do a better job, these guys will devour film and we will do better at improving our game, whether it be at the free throw line or at any aspect. That is this team's approach."
 
On pace of play:

"We really want to play at a fast pace. Again, there were a lot of fouls that chopped the game up a bit, and if we didn't turn the ball over as much we would have more opportunities to score and to get the ball down the floor, but everybody was very athletic tonight. Especially our bench. We all ran hard, so we did a good job. Clifford [Omoruyi] didn't have his typical night, he was a little banged up, so hopefully he's ok, but it was nice to see everyone else share the ball and get some easy baskets."
 
On scoring opportunities in the second half:

"I thought we were really locked in. I always think the first four minutes of a half are very important to send a message, and I think they did. We went to our bench and they responded too."
 
On Gavin Griffith's first home game:

"Gavin is really, really good. It's not easy in your freshman year, and I love the fact that his first game at Jersey Mike's Arena was a win. He had two really great practices and he just got after it. Sometimes how you practice is how you play, and he really played well. Aundre [Hyatt] also had two really great practices and his voice and leadership was really heard. He rebounded and got us off to a really good start. He played really aggressively and he's a good worker. The first game here was a great success."

On rebounding improving from Monday 
"That is the great part of our team.  Everyone has the ability to rebound.  We have good athletes and our guards need to stick their nose in there too and take care of the backboards.  It isn't just Cliff's job or Wolf's job.  Everyone put bodies on people tonight.  Noah dug out some long rebounds.  Austin got 4 rebounds so everyone chipped in.  Gavin got 4 too to go along with his great 25 points.  It is a team thing and when we focus on that we get rebounds and we have been the last two days and we need to continue because Bryant can rebound too." 

On Clifford Omoruyi leaving early after the first half:

"He is in the room right now.  Austin Willaims was banged up too and Antwone Woolfolk was banged up too. I hope they are alright but they have to heal quickly because we have a game in 48 hours."
 
On Austin Williams diving for a loose ball in front of the bench:

"Austin is very unique as we are learning about him.  He can really get down hill and get to the rim.  He is really strong and can guard multiple positions. He hasn't played a basketball game in 600 days so it has been a long layoff for him.  He needs to bring that energy and that physically and as he continues to learn what we need from him on the court he is going to have a great second half."
 
On the idea of playing Woolfolk and Omoruyi together:

"We outrebounded them and that was a big part of it.  That helped us and they have to keep having great chemistry together.  They have a unique opportunity to be two really good low post guys.  We didn't handle the double teams well tonight and we have been handling the double teams well in practice.  We have to keep playing those guys together at the same time and continue to evolve that rotation."
 
On Woolfolk's eight rebounds in 18 minutes: 

"He goes for every rebound on both ends of the floor.  He is really physical and has really good timing and is very athletic."
 
On honoring Phil Sellers:

"It was a great tribute to Phill Sellers and that family.  I have heard more and more stories and just wanted to continue praying for the family. I am very thankful for what he did to our program.  There have been some great Rutgers people and we are getting more and more Rutgers players to come back and visit us. I have gotten to know that '75 team through Phill passing and it is really a special group.  Being a Rutgers basketball player is special. I am very thankful that we were able to honor him tonight. I am very thankful that we were able to honor him tonight and my prayers out to Mike Mcdonald, one of our other guys who is fighting some health issues right now. Hopefully, you watched the game Mike and we are rooting for you and he is a great ambassador for Rutgers."   

Boston Coach Joe Jones

On playing at Jersey Mike's Arena:

"I have always loved playing here ever since my Villanova days. It is always great to come play and I have a lot of friends here in Jersey. Pike is a really good friend and I have known him since he was at Stony Brook University and I was at Columbia. He is someone that I really like."