Quincy Douby’s game high 36 points helped the Scarlet Knights to a must-win victory over St. Johns’ Red Storm.
Faced with the possibility of being eliminated from Big East play, Rutgers instead sent the Red Storm packing with an 82-70 road victory in the regular-season finale. It was only the third Big East road victory for the Rutgers squad this year and only their sixth Big East road win in Gary Waters' Rutgers career.
The first half was a scrappy affair and while Rutgers lead for most of it, St. Johns kept fighting back to tie or get within one. RU held just a 2-point lead at the break. The Red Storm shot the lights out early in the second half making their first 8 shots but it wasn’t enough as RU maintained its slim lead. Then with about 15 minutes left, the Scarlet Knights went on a 13-2 run and never looked back.
Marquis Webb added 12 points and Jimmie Inglis had 10 for the Scarlet. Frank Russell had a career high 9 points, which seemed to all come in one brief spurt in the second half. Rutgers out rebounded St. Johns 35-30. RU also shot 50% from the field on 26 for 52 shooting and a blistering 56% (10-18) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Eugene Lawrence led the Storm with 22 points while Lamont Hamilton added 14 and Anthony Mason 12.
Rutgers improves to 17-12, 7-9 BIG EAST and faces Seton Hall in the opening round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night at 7:00 PM.
The Red Storm fell to 12-15, 5-11 in Big East play, and will miss the Big East tournament for the third straight year.
(Game Story and stats here.)
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