Rutgers defeats Delaware St 65-50
Rutgers Edges Delaware St 65-50 in Non-Conference Showdown at Jersey Mike's Arena
A Balanced Performance from Both Teams Fuels Rutgers' Victory
In a closely contested non-conference matchup, Rutgers (HOME) emerged victorious over visiting Delaware St with a 15-point margin of 65-50. The Scarlet Knights' balanced performance was highlighted by a strong team effort, as they outrebounded their opponents and limited Delaware St's scoring opportunities.
Halftime Lead Sets the Tone
At halftime, Rutgers held a slim lead of 31-24, but the home crowd's energy propelled them to a decisive second-half performance. The Scarlet Knights' defense stiffened, allowing just six points from Delaware St in the final 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Rutgers' offense continued to click, with senior forward Tariq Francis leading the charge.
Key Stat Performers
For Rutgers, Francis was the standout performer, scoring 19 points on 2-5 three-point shooting and 38.5% field goal percentage. He was supported by a strong rebounding effort from Emmanuel Ogbole, who grabbed 12 boards and scored six points. Dylan Grant also chipped in with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals.
Delaware St's Miles Webb was the top scorer for the Hawks, netting 16 points on 46.7% shooting. Corey Perkins contributed 9 points, two assists, and three steals off the bench.
Advanced Team Statistics
Rutgers' performance was marked by efficiency in various areas. The Scarlet Knights shot 30.0% from the field, 33.3% from two-point range, and 26.0% from three-point land. They also outrebounded Delaware St 21-7 on the glass and committed just 17 turnovers.
In contrast, Delaware St struggled to find its footing, shooting 33.0% from the field, 33.3% from two-point range, and 33.0% from three-point land. The Hawks also had trouble containing Rutgers' scoring threats, allowing them to get hot in the second half.
Context and Rankings
This matchup pitted Rutgers against a mid-major opponent looking to make a statement on the national stage. For Rutgers, the win provided valuable non-conference experience and a boost to their resume ahead of conference play.
As an unranked team at this point, Rutgers' victory was significant in establishing their status as a contender in the Big Ten Conference.