Rutgers rallies in second half to defeat Merrimack 48-35
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- — Ron Harper Jr. and Cliff Omoruyi both had double-doubles and Rutgers rallied in the second half to defeat Merrimack 48-35 on Saturday.
Harper had 13 points and 11 rebounds to go with Omoruyi's 11 points and 13 rebounds.
After trailing 23-16 at halftime, Rutgers (2-0) opened the second half with a drawn-out 13-6 run and the score was tied at 29 when the Scarlet Knights' Harper made one of two free throws at the 9:46 mark. Harper scored in the paint about a minute later, giving Rutgers the lead for good while Merrimack was in the midst of a 8 1/2-minute scoreless drought.
Merrimack (2-1) was stuck on 29 points from the 13:18 mark until Mikey Watkins scored with 4:51 to go. By that time Rutgers was ahead 40-31. Wakins led the Warriors with 12 points.
Rutgers made only five field goals and committed 10 turnovers in the first half. The second half was more than just a turnaround, as Rutgers outscored the Warriors 32-12.
Only five players scored for Rutgers — six for Merrimack — but the Scarlet Knights had a 17-3 advantage in bench scoring. Rutgers shot 31% from the field and Merrimack hit on just 23%.
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Game Information
- Referees:
- Larry Scirotto
- Michael Kashirsky
- Kevin Raher
2023-24 Northeast Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Central Connecticut | 13-3 | - | 20-11 |
Merrimack | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
Sacred Heart | 10-6 | 3 | 16-16 |
Fairleigh Dickinson | 9-7 | 4 | 15-17 |
Le Moyne | 9-7 | 4 | 15-17 |
Wagner | 7-9 | 6 | 17-16 |
Long Island University | 6-10 | 7 | 7-22 |
St. Francis (PA) | 3-13 | 10 | 8-22 |
Stonehill | 2-14 | 11 | 4-27 |
2023-24 Big Ten Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Purdue | 17-3 | - | 34-5 |
Illinois | 14-6 | 3 | 29-9 |
Nebraska | 12-8 | 5 | 23-11 |
Northwestern | 12-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Wisconsin | 11-9 | 6 | 22-14 |
Indiana | 10-10 | 7 | 19-14 |
Michigan State | 10-10 | 7 | 20-15 |
Iowa | 10-10 | 7 | 19-15 |
Ohio State | 9-11 | 8 | 22-14 |
Minnesota | 9-11 | 8 | 19-15 |
Penn State | 9-11 | 8 | 16-17 |
Maryland | 7-13 | 10 | 16-17 |
Rutgers | 7-13 | 10 | 15-17 |
Michigan | 3-17 | 14 | 8-24 |