'Nova defeats Rutgers. 87-55

As slow as the start of last night's game against Seton Hall was, Rutgers came out on fire tonight. Quincy Douby in particular has come out hot tonight. He had only 6 points in the first half and finished with 18 points. Tonight Douby has 15 points in the first 10 minutes against No. 2 Villanova. That includes 3 for 5 from beyond the arc. Sometimes so far beyond that he almost needs a ticket.

When Douby sat down for his usual brief rest in the first half, Jaron Griffin made a 3-pointer to put RU ahead 22-21.

When Douby returned he made another three to give him 18 points, matching last nights total, with 6:16 left in the half. (He didn't make his first basket last night until around the 5 minute mark.)

Douby has 24 points at the half, shooting 5-7 from 3-point land. But RU is still trailing by 1-point, 33-34.

The 'Nova Wildcats owned the second half.

Early in the second half (16:21 to go) and 'Nova has put together a 9-0 run to lead by 11, 48-37. 'Nova shutting out Douby after the break.

9:40 to go and 'Nova has opened a 15 point lead. While Douby has been getting no offensive help, four 'Nova players--led by Will Sheridan--are in double figures.

Freshman Anthony Farmer had to sit at the 11:25 mark with four fouls. he didn't return until the 5 minute mark.

Now all five 'Nova starters are in double figures and, while Douby leads everyone with 31 points, he has had no help. Only 18 points from the rest of the team.

'Nova is now up 74-49. With 4:45 to go. Allan Ray now leads 'Nova in scoring.

Game over.

RU is still playing hard, but "Nova continues to double and triple team Douby forcing him to give up the ball to the other players who have been largely ineffective.

Villanova proved tonight that it had too many tools for RU. Playing a 3 and 4 guard offense, all five Wildcat starters scored in double figures. Ray finished with 23 points, Will Sheridan had 17, Kyle Lowry scored 14, Mike Nardi added 12 and Randy FOye made 10. They also out rebounded RU by a count of 45 to 29 and made 23 of 27 from the charity stripe compared to RU's 8 for 13.

RU now goes home to await a call from the NIT. 'Nova, after Connecticut's loss to Syracuse earlier today, may be in line for the Big East title and the No. 1 ranking nationally.