Rutgers University
7-6,0-2Big Ten
Delaware State
5-10,0-0MEAC
Grant and Francis Lead Men's Basketball Past Delaware State 65-50
Dec 29 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball leaned on physicality, depth, and discipline Sunday night at Jersey Mike's Arena, overwhelming Delaware State on the glass and at the free-throw line in a 65–50 victory.
The Scarlet Knights (7–6) controlled the contest with a 52–28 rebounding advantage, including 21 offensive rebounds, which translated into 27 second-chance points and sustained offensive pressure throughout the night. Rutgers also delivered an efficient performance at the stripe, shooting 24-for-29 (82.8 percent) from the free-throw line, including 90.9 percent in the second half.
Junior guard Tariq Francis led all scorers with 19 points, attacking the rim consistently and converting 7-of-7 free throws. Sophomore forward Dylan Grant added 18 points and 10 rebounds to post a double-double, finishing a perfect 6-for-6 at the line.
Rutgers carried a 31–24 lead into halftime by dominating the offensive glass early, collecting 15 second-chance points in the first half alone. The Scarlet Knights extended the margin shortly after intermission with another surge fueled by offensive rebounds and trips to the free-throw line.
Coming off the bench, freshman guard Kaden Powers provided a spark in the second half, scoring nine points on efficient shooting and helping Rutgers maintain momentum as it pushed the lead to as many as 20 points. Powers' timely baskets complemented a strong interior presence from senior center Emmanuel Ogbole, who finished with 12 rebounds, including seven offensive boards.
Rutgers' bench was a difference-maker all night, outscoring Delaware State 35–11, while the Scarlet Knights' defense limited the Hornets to 29.8 percent shooting for the game.
Delaware State was led by Miles Webb with 16 points, but the Hornets were unable to overcome Rutgers' physicality, rebounding dominance, and efficiency at the free-throw line.
Rutgers continues Big Ten Conference play later this week on Friday against Ohio State at Jersey Mike's Arena at 8 p.m. on Peacock.
Postgame Notes
- Rutgers posted a season-high 52 team rebounds.
- Rutgers posted a season-high 21 offensive rebounds.
- RU held Delaware State to a season opponent low of 50 points.
- Tariq Francis led RU in scoring for the second-straight game.
- Dylan Grant had his third double-double of the season.
Postgame Quotes
Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell
Opening Statement:
"Thanks for being here, I really appreciate it. I want to thank the crowd and our marketing team—great work. It was a tough day with the weather, and it's a Monday during the holiday season, so it was great to have a crowd. It was good to see an old-fashioned Rutgers defensive effort and get a win.
I'm proud of these guys. I challenged them before the game to get us off to a good start. Dylan Grant had a double-double and Tariq Francis has been really good. It's always nice to win a game, and our defense was really strong. We got to the free-throw line and we made those free throws. We're 1–0 heading into the new year, and I feel better about where we are today than where we were a week or so ago."
On where the team is and readiness for future challenges:
"We've been working extremely hard the last few weeks and we're better. I like what I'm seeing—we've added some defenses. As always, it comes down to rebounding. They gave a really good effort today. We've been preaching it and even sending them text messages about it, and I think they got the message. That has to stay loud and clear. Obviously, we play in a great league and we have a lot coming up, so rebounding is critical. We also preach taking care of the basketball. We turn it over too much, and we have to continue to get better in that area."
On the team's toughness:
"They're getting there. I think they've practiced better, put more time into it, and watched more film. We're becoming more physical, and the young guys are learning and growing. I liked Kaden Powers off the bench today—he gave us nine points. They're showing signs, but they need to be more consistent. We've got a few more tricks up our sleeve."
On shooting struggles and turnovers:
"The great part was it didn't really matter because I thought we got good looks. I'll have to watch the tape, but from what I saw, we generated open shots. The fact that we got to the free-throw line as much as we did shows toughness.
It was an old-fashioned Rutgers defensive game. I thought we had good stretches throughout—I didn't see a four-minute segment that I didn't like defensively. The ball goes in eventually, and we made most of our free throws, which hasn't always been a strength for us. You find a way to win, and that's a sign of a team that sticks with it. Specifically, Harun [Zrno] had some shots go in and out. We need him to capitalize on a few of those, but we'll see more when we watch the tape."
On offensive improvement moving forward:
"First, you can't turn the ball over. We turned it over six times last game, and tonight it was 17—so how do you figure? Against Seton Hall, we turned it over a lot as well. The rebounding helped us tonight—we got second-chance opportunities and scored—but we still need to finish better around the rim. Sixty-five points isn't going to cut it. We should have been in the 70s.
They play a unique zone, and it causes a lot of teams problems. We've spent a lot of time preparing for it, but we still have to take better care of the ball. June [Buchanan Jr.] had a few turnovers, Dylan Grant had a couple he'd like back, but we'll keep learning and improving."
On Bryce Dortch as a secondary option, especially in Big Ten play:
"He's become a guy we can count on. He does a lot defensively, he's at the top of our press, and his ball-handling is important. He blocks shots, rebounds, and gives us great energy. Emmanuel was a presence on the glass tonight too. Sometimes it depends on matchups or foul trouble, but Bryce can do a lot of things for us. He's capable of scoring more, and we need that from him because I think he can do it."
On the anticipation of adding new players:
"You pursue every lead you have and go through all the steps to try to make it happen. It's very complex. I'm hopeful we can add players, and I'll keep my fingers crossed."
On the press defense:
"They're getting more creative with it and more confident. It was effective tonight and in our last game. I like our personnel in certain lineups, and when I have certain guys on the floor, I'll go to it more. Bryce being able to play up on the ball helps a great deal. We're going to keep adding things—we haven't shown everything yet. This was the first game I've really felt good about our defense. Consistently, every four minutes, we were stopping them. Even when we weren't scoring from the field, we were scoring at the foul line and getting stops."
