National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Rutgers 86, Niagara 39
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 10, 2019
Where: Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC), Piscataway, New Jersey
Officials: # D.J. Carstensen, # Robert Riley, # Chris Beaver
Attendance: 4203

Geo Baker's 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, was indicative of Rutgers' hot shooting in its 86-39 win over Niagara in a non-conference game Sunday at Piscataway, N.J.

Rutgers (2-0) made 59.3 percent of its shots (35 of 59) with a 9-of-19 performance from beyond the arc.

The victory is the largest against a Division I opponent in Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell's four seasons with the program.

Akwasi Yeboah, a graduate transfer from Stony Brook, added 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting with six rebounds for the Scarlet Knights, who were coming off a 73-71 win over Bryant at home Thursday. Ron Harper Jr. finished with eight points and eight rebounds.

Niagara, 0-2 after losing at Drexel 72-64 in its previous game, made 30.8 percent of its shots (16 of 52) and finished with no players in double figures. James Towns, who scored a team-high 17 points against Drexel, was held to four points on 1-of-5 shooting. Justin Roberts led Niagara with eight points.

Rutgers cruised after scoring the game's first 14 points. The Scarlet Knights built a 39-14 lead by halftime behind seven points each from Yeboah, Montez Mathis and Caleb McConnell.

Baker scored 17 of his points in the second half on 6-of-8 shooting from the field.

Niagara's 17 turnovers resulted in Rutgers gaining a 26-2 edge in points-off-turnovers. The Scarlet Knights also controlled the boards, outrebounding Niagara 38-22. They dominated the paint outscoring Niagara 38-20 in that area.

Paul Mulcahy had six assists to lead Rutgers' 22-assist performance.

Niagara, coached by former Duke player Greg Paulus, travels next to Stephen F. Austin on Wednesday. Rutgers hosts Drexel on Wednesday.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Niagara   Rutgers
Justin Roberts 8 Scoring Geo Baker 22
Shandon Brown 3 Assists Paul Mulcahy 6
Greg Kuakumensah 3 Rebounds Ron Harper Jr. 8
James Towns 2 Free Throws Made Geo Baker 3
Shandon Brown 2 Steals Montez Mathis 3
Greg Kuakumensah 2 Blocks Geo Baker 2
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Niagara 39 30.8 5-19 2-3 10 21 4 3 17
Rutgers 86 59.3 9-19 7-8 22 35 6 7 9