Rutgers University
USF
Rutgers Falls at South Florida in BIG EAST Opener
Jan 02 | Men's Basketball
TAMPA, Fla. - Junior guard Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) scored 14 points and junior forward JR Inman (Pomona, N.Y.) grabbed 14 rebounds, but it was not enough, as Rutgers (8-6, 0-1) dropped a 68-45 decision to South Florida (10-4, 1-0) Wednesday evening in its BIG EAST opener at the Sun Dome. It marked a career-best, fifth straight game in double figures for Farmer and a career-high tying effort in rebounds for Inman.
The contest was largely a back-and-forth affair for the initial 32 minutes on the game clock. Although the Bulls held the lead for the majority of the contest, the Scarlet Knights remained within striking distance. Rutgers trailed by just four points, 44-40, with just over eight minutes in regulation after a Mike Coburn (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) layup. USF finished in convincing fashion, however, registering 24 of the game's final 29 points to earn the win going away.
After shooting 44.4 percent in the opening stanza, Rutgers made just 33.3 percent of its second half shots to finish 21-54 (38.9 percent) from the field. The Bulls, conversely, shot a solid 50 percent after the midpoint to conclude the evening shooting at a 44.6 percent (25-56) clip. The Scarlet Knights also struggled at the free throw line, converting just one of eight attempts, while USF deposited 11 of 14 from the charity stripe.
Hamady Ndiaye (Dakar, Senegal), the BIG EAST leader in blocked shots, issued three rejections, all in the first half. The sophomore center was limited to a season-low tying 13 minutes, however, due to foul trouble.
Rutgers was once again without the services of freshman guard Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J.), who ranks 20th in the BIG EAST in scoring (14.1) and eighth in steals (2.0). He missed his third consecutive game with a right foot injury.
Kentrell Gransberry, the league leader in rebounds, scored 20 points and grabbed 17 boards to pace USF. He was complemented by freshman guard Dominique Jones, who scored 24 points.
The Scarlet Knights return to the hardwood versus No. 7 Georgetown at the RAC this Saturday afternoon. The game will be televised live on MSG with tip-off slated for 2:00 p.m.
