Harper, Rutgers keep cruising versus Hofstra
Rutgers has picked up where it left off before the coronavirus ended its season last spring — pushing hard for a long-elusive NCAA Tournament bid.
Ron Harper Jr. had 15 points and nine rebounds, Jacob Young had 17 points and No. 24 Rutgers beat Hofstra 70-56 on Sunday in Piscataway, N.J. It’s the f irst time the Scarlet Knights (3-0) have won three games by 10 or more points to start a season since 1980-81 .
Rutgers was poised to make the NCAA Tournament for the f irst time since 1990-91 last year before March Madness was canceled due to the coronavirus.
“Before this year a lot of people said we have gone from hunter to the hunted, but we still have something to prove. We didn’t accomplish anything last year. The season got cut short, so we’re still hungry,” Harper said. “We’re still trying to take care of business every time we step in between those lines, and it’s personal. We got something taken away from us that we worked our whole lives for, so we’re just working even harder to get that back.”
Montez Mathis scored 14 points, and point guard Paul Mulcahy added nine rebounds and seven assists as the Scarlet Knights never trailed.
Rutgers led 32-16 with 3:52 left in the f irst half before Hofstra (0-1) entered the break on a 5-0 run.
The Pride added two free throws by Isaac Kante after halftime before Rutgers went on a 10-0 run for a 45-32 lead. The Scarlet Knights led by at least 10 the rest of the way.
Hofstra was led by Jalen Ray with 22 points on 9 of 13 shooting.
While he’s pleased with his team’s start, f ifth-year coach Steve Pikiell expected more out of his squad Sunday.
“Offensively today I didn’t like our energy,” Pikiell. “I didn’t love our defense either so it’s a good thing I’ l l be crabby for the next few days and it’ll be good for our guys in practice.”