PISCATAWAY, N.J.Β βΒ The Scarlet Knights turned on one of the best defensiveΒ performances in Steve Pikiell‘s tenure at RU to propel aΒ 71-40Β victory over St. Peter’s at Jersey Mike’s Arena on Monday night. Rutgers forced 23 turnovers, had 12 steals, and scored 25 points off turnovers in the victory.
Grad Noah Fernandes led the Scarlet Knights with a game and season-highΒ 19 points while going 9-for-9 at the charity stripe and dishing out three assists in 26 minutes of play.
Senior Clifford Omoruyi added 17 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 27 minutes of action. Omoruyi had multiple and-ones and a few highlight reel dunks in the win.Β Sophomore Derek Simpson chipped in with 10 points and two boards.
Leading 11-9 following the second media timeout in the first half, Rutgers wentΒ on a 7-0 run to lead 18-9 with 8:15 in the first frame. The Scarlet Knights held St. Peter’s scoreless for the next four minutes and forced five turnovers during the stretch.
Noah Fernandes balled out against Saint Peter’s. πͺ
The @RutgersMBB stud scored a season-high 19 points in the win! pic.twitter.com/SBFmDogaXY
β Big Ten Men’s Basketball (@B1GMBBall) November 28, 2023
In the opening stanza, held the Peacocks to 23 percent shooting from the field including 14% from downtown. RU led 27-17 at the break, and the Scarlet Knights stymied SPU to a season-low in first-half points.
Coming out of the locker room, the RU offense ignited a 13-4 scoring run that fueled a 40-21…
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