Rutgers University
Fairleigh Dickinson
MBB Pulls Away From Fairleigh Dickinson
Dec 23 | Men's Basketball
PDF Box Score
Video: Highlights
Video: Coach Jordan Press Conference
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Behind a career-high 21 points from freshman guard Corey Sanders and double-doubles from senior center Greg Lewis and sophomore guard Mike Williams, Rutgers (5-7) defeated in-state foe Fairleigh Dickinson (4-7), 72-64, Wednesday night at the RAC. The Scarlet Knights shot 41.2 percent (7-of-17) from behind the arc, including 4-of-8 in the second half, to ensure the victory.
Lewis had 10 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, while Williams posted 14 points and 10 boards to lead four RU players in double figures. Freshman forward Jonathan Laurent added 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
The Scarlet Knights shot 54.5 percent in the second half, outscoring the Knights 45-35 in the frame to secure the victory. RU made four three-pointers and 17 free throws in the second stanza. Sanders, who was 4-of-8 from long range, had three triples in the final 20 minutes.
Both teams started cold from the field. The score stood at 10-9 in favor of the visitors after a Bishop Daniels three-pointer entering the under-12 media timeout. FDU responded with a 9-0 run to push its lead to 19-9, as RU opened the game shooting 3-of-12. The visitors led by as much as 12, taking a 24-12 advantage with 6:42 to go in the first half.
Rutgers stormed back, sparking a 15-2 run to even the game at 27-27. Sophomore forward D.J. Foreman kick-started the run with two baskets on one possession, converting a layup via an offensive rebound off an and-one free throw. Another layup, this one from Williams, stretched the run to 8-0. After an FDU bucket, Sanders took over, scoring the game's next seven points.
The visitors deposited the final basket of the half and took a slim 29-27 edge into the locker room at the midpoint.
FDU extended its advantage to 35-30 out of the break, but RU battled back to tie it at 38-38, relying on an 8-of-10 performance at the charity stripe to open the half. The Scarlet Knights recaptured the lead, 48-47, when Sanders knocked down three-pointers on consecutive trips down the floor.
The game was tied at 55-55 when Rutgers used a 13-5 run to take command down the stretch. The Scarlet Knights made six of eight field goals in that spurt, closed out by a fast break dunk from Daniels, to seal the victory.
Rutgers returns to the hardwood Monday (Dec. 28) night to host UMass-Lowell in a 7 p.m. tip-off at the RAC. The game will be televised live on BTN.
Postgame Notes
- Corey Sanders matched his career-highs with 21 points and five rebounds.
- Greg Lewis had his first career double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. The 14 rebounds were a new career-high, his second straight game setting a career-best in rebounding.
- Lewis also had three blocks, tying his season high.
- Mike Williams had his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
- It was the first time RU had two players with double-doubles in the same game since November 18, 2013, a 66-51 victory over Canisius. Kadeem Jack had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Wally Judge had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
- Jonathan Laurent scored 12 points, reaching double figures for the third time this season.
- It was the third time this season Rutgers had four players score in double figures.
- Rutgers now leads the all-time series against FDU 11-2.
- RU started Corey Sanders, Mike Williams, Omari Grier, D.J. Foreman and Greg Lewis for the fifth consecutive game.
Postgame Quotes
Rutgers Head Coach Eddie Jordan
Opening Statement: "It was a satisfying win before the holidays. We did a lot of good things coming down the stretch. I was happy that we learned some things over the last few games that we could keep the lead. Corey - he was fantastic. Jonathan made some good plays for himself, for his teammates. Defensively, I still wasn't happy with how easy they scored. But, for the most part, we did a good job when we had to."
On keeping an eye on player's minutes: "I was keeping my eye on who was playing well. Not necessarily minutes, who I could put in the game that was going to defend, rebound, even if they were small. Who was going to execute. Corey, he stayed in the game and played a lot of minutes because he was doing things well. Jonathan was in and out, D.J. was in and out. It wasn't minutes; it was who was playing well. If you played well, you played. If you didn't, you were coming out and I'll try somebody else."
On the late comeback: "It was whether we made them miss or turn the ball over. They missed some shots, turned the ball over some. But our resiliency was pretty good tonight. We fought back from 12 down; our resiliency was good coming down the stretch. We stayed focused; we stayed disciplined to a certain degree for a young team."
On the final stretch: "Corey made some great plays. When the ball goes in the basket, it helps you a great deal. No matter if you play great defense or not, if they're scoring, you can answer them back. Even if you are playing great defense, if you can't score, the wind is going to come out of your sails somewhere down the line and you are going to falter. When the ball goes it the basket for you, it juices you up at the defensive end. It keeps your energy up and your spirit up. That does a lot for finishing up a game."
FDU Head Coach Greg Herenda
Opening Statement: "It was a really competitive game. Both teams played really hard and Rutgers made plays down the stretch. They have three really good guards. I give them a lot of credit. They're really banged up and they're going through a tough stretch and they showed a lot of pride tonight. That comes from Eddie Jordan and Mike O'Koren. I love those guys. I know they're in a tough spot, but their players came up big for them which means they're playing really hard. They're talented, but you can't judge Rutgers until they get their whole team together. But tonight they had enough to win. They made it hard for us to score when they had to and then when they needed to score, they were able to."
On what FDU did well: "I think we competed really well. I thought we got it to the basket really well and strong, but we settled for some tough shots that we missed. That was really crucial. The stat that really jumps off the page is the free throws. Seven-for-20 is good from three-point line, not the foul line. If you're making or missing them, it's contagious either way. We're a young team, so to come into a Big Ten arena in a big spot and make all of your free throws, it seems like everyone in the crowd is buzzing. It's not easy, especially for a bunch of young kids. I think if we did that a bit better, it might have lengthened the lead when we had it. Defensively we played really well and I'm proud of my team. We're the third youngest team in America."
On what Rutgers did down the stretch to win: "Eddie was a good player and I think just like in the NBA, his good players took over. Sanders had 21 points and we really didn't have an answer for him. He's going to be a terrific player here. I think, again, their good players made plays and we didn't execute offensively in the second half well enough. It shows. We only score 35 points to their 45."
On what FDU needs to take out of the game: "I'm very proud of my team. If we would have won the game, we would have been in the locker room hooting and hollering and then when you come into practice for league play, they're not going to listen to you. Now, we played really well and got the respect of Rutgers, their crowd and our crowd. We did everything but win the game, so it's going to be a good teaching lesson to go back once we get into NEC play."
