PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers opened its 2025-26 season with an 81-53 win over Rider on Wednesday night at Jersey Mike's Arena, using a balanced scoring effort and strong defensive performance to pull away early.

The Scarlet Knights broke open a tight start with a 13-0 run midway through the first half and led 35-24 at halftime. Rutgers continued to push the pace after the break, outscoring the Broncs 46-29 and building a lead that reached 32 points.

"I didn't love how we played but I like this team they have a good vibe about them," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "We did an awful job rebounding, and I have been on them about that since June. We got some jitters out and a lot of players played for the first time in front of our great fans. I look forward to being a really good rebounding team. We are thankful for the win and appreciate the fans that showed up to watch us tonight."

Junior NJIT transfer guard Tariq Francis led Rutgers with 20 points in his debut with RU, including four three-pointers.

"He had 20 points, no turnovers, and I have never seen a plus-minus of 30 from him," Pikiel said. "Tyriq was really good, and he's been that way since he got here in June." 

"All my life, I've been hearing some things, so I definitely want to overcome those things and just show people that I can compete on any level and dominate on any level, no matter who I'm playing against," Francis said. "When I heard the news, it was just, 'Alright, let me be one of the guys who could start it off for us and give us one of those runs."

Junior guard returnee Jamichael Davis added 15 points, four assists, and three steals. Sophomore forward Dylan Grant finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, while junior guard Darren Buchanan Jr.  who came to the Scarlet Knights from George Washington came off the bench to score 11.



Rutgers shot 39.1 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range. The Scarlet Knights repeatedly capitalized in transition, scoring 29 fastbreak points and turning Rider's 17 turnovers into steady offense. Rutgers also collected 20 offensive rebounds and finished with a 47-46 overall edge on the glass.

Rider struggled to find any shooting rhythm. The Broncs shot 27.7 percent from the floor and went 2-of-20 from behind the arc. Caleb Smith had 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Zion Cruz added 11 points but shot 5-of-19.

Rutgers also held advantages in bench points (24-17) and second-chance scoring (19-15).

Rutgers improved to 1-0. Rider fell to 0-2. The Scarlet Knights continue their Monday against Maine at 6:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network and on the radio on WFAN.

 

Postgame Notes vs. Rider

• The 28-point win was the largest margin of victory since a 31-point win over St. Peter's on Dec. 27, 2023.
• Rutgers held Rider to 53 points, the fewest since Wagner had 52 points last season on November 6
• Rutgers is 9-1 in season openers under Steve Pikiell and has won 11 of their last 12 season openers.
• Rutgers is 17-6 against New Jersey schools under Steve Pikiell.
• Rutgers holds a 17-1 advantage in the all-time series against Rider and has won 13 straight.
• Tariq Francis had 20 points in his Rutgers career.
  • It was his 23rd career collegiate game with 20+ points and 47th in double-digits.
• Dylan Grant had his 3rd career game with 15+ points, his second-highest career output, just two off his previous career-high of 19.
• Emmanuel Ogbole had his second career game with double-digit rebounds, just one shy of his previous career high of 11 vs. Nebraska last January
• Jamichael Davis had 15 points, his second-highest career output
• Seven RU freshmen made their collegiate debut: Denis Badalau, Chris Nwuli, Harun Zrno, Lino Mark, Kaden Powers and Gevonte Ware.
• Three other transfers made their RU debut: Darren Buchanan Jr., Tariq Francis and Baye Fall
• Rutgers made 10 three-pointers of their 25 field goals.
• Rutgers held Rider to just two three-pointers. It matched RU's low three-pointers allowed last season (two by Texas A&M in November) and was the fewest three-pointers an opponent made at Jersey Mike's Arena since Rider had two in the last meeting on November 22, 2022.

Postgame Quotes
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell 

On Rutgers' offense and team play
"Eighty-one points, but you can't give up that many offensive rebounds. We really could have put up a stronger number, but we didn't make many free throws. You have to finish at the rim, and we have to do a better job there. E (Emmanuel Ogbole) has improved so much. He had 10 rebounds, blocked shots, got a finish and has been finishing consistently. I look forward to Denis (Badalau). He has been our highest-percentage shooter since June, and I feel like he will make shots. Eighty-one points, held them under 55 — did some good things, but we've got to get better nonetheless."

On Tariq Francis' debut
"You score 20 points and get no turnovers — I've never seen a plus-minus of 30. That's a heck of a number. He rebounded the ball extremely well.
I was very nervous with their two backcourt guys, scorers. Zion Cruz had to take 19 shots, and Flash just scored an easy 19 against Virginia. The job these guys did in the backcourt was awesome — not only on the offensive end. Thank God the veteran guys came back. They have a nice way about them. I wish you could see this team practice. They practice the right way, and I like that. Riq (Francis) was really good, and he has been that way since he got here in June."

On rebounding
"Long rebounds — they took a lot of long shots. We just have to be more focused. We've been a good rebounding team in our two scrimmages, but today we did not rebound well. We gave up a lot at the end, too, so we'll get back to work.
These guys know what we talk about. It's the first thing we talk about every day. We'll continue to watch film and get good footage of what happens when you don't rebound long misses. Hopefully we'll correct that." On the starting five
"Dylan Grant came back and he has improved. He put the ball on the deck, finished around the rim. Proud of him — he gained weight, too. J-Mike (Jamichael Davis) has been getting better each day. These guys earned their starting positions. They've been dedicated since June and have been really strong. But we've got some other guys who can make a case for it. I didn't think you saw the best of our bench — they've been much better. On both ends of the floor, Riq has led us in steals since he got here. J-Mike is our best off-the-ball defender. DG (Grant) is a versatile defender with some emergency shot-blocking. June (Darren Buchanan Jr.) and Chris (Christopher Nwuli) can guard people. We went with this group and stayed with this group. I've told them if they want to stay in the starting lineup — win."

On what fans can expect this season
"What I love about this group — we've been working when no one's been watching us, which has been awesome.
This group is fast, and that's what excites me most. There's tremendous competition for minutes, and we'll figure that out. But I like that they're healthy. We compete and hit each other. We have shooters, even though I know what our numbers were today. Denis Badalau can shoot the basketball. I know the statistics don't say that, but we have guys who can put the ball in the basket. This team is really going to improve. Now we have to gel. We come with a defensive mindset and a competitive mindset, and we've done that since June — and we've done it in the dark. I love that."

On Dylan Grant's aggressiveness and expectations
"He has improved a ton. We saw him get to the rack — he can get to the rim now. Last year he was shooting corner 3s. Now he has improved his handle. The added weight has helped, and he is a really good passer too.
He can block more shots. He is an athlete and a half — we have to get him three or four a night. His improvement has been awesome. He comes in every day. He has become a leader in our locker room, and I appreciate him."

On Harun Zrno and Denis Badalau's debut
"One thing about those two — they are extremely confident. They are men, and they have been through this. I'm excited about them, but they are going to have to get better too. They are skilled, have good size, and they are not regular freshmen. They have been playing professional basketball for a while."
 
Rider head coach Kevin Baggett on Rutgers
"Pike's guys play hard. They're tough, gritty. He has a lot of freshmen, which is abnormal for him. He's a heck of a coach and always does a good job finding great guys. I see those guys competing in the Big Ten, as they always do."