Nov. 12, 2007
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers University shot 30 more free throws than the visiting Eagles of North Carolina Central University as the Scarlet Knights claimed a 73-48 win as part of the Blue Ribbon Challenge inside the Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, N.J.
Rutgers (3-0) had one more field goal and one more three-point basket than the Eagles, but shot 25-of-36 from the charity stripe compared to just 3-of-6 for the visitors. NCCU (0-2) was whistled for 23 personal fouls and the Scarlet Knights 10.
The Scarlet Knights also out-rebounded NCCU 41-30, including a 19-16 edge on the offensive glass. The Eagles committed 21 turnovers that resulted in 28 points for Rutgers.
NCCU held its first lead of the program's inaugural season of Division I competition when senior forward Charles Futrell nailed a 10-foot baseline jumper for the first points of the game. The Eagles' largest lead of the contest was three points on two occasions. The Division I newcomers led 5-2 after a three-point basket by junior guard Bryan Ayala at the 18:00 mark, then held a 7-4 advantage courtesy of a tip-in by sophomore forward Joshua Worthy at 15:04 of the first half.
Rutgers responded by scoring eight unanswered points, including a pair of free throws by Jaron Griffin at 13:18 to give his squad an 8-7 edge and the lead for good.
Junior guard Philip Branch hit a jumper to pull the Eagles to within 20-17 at 7:23, but the Scarlet Knights went on a 15-6 run for a 35-23 cushion with 2:17 left. Rutgers led 36-25 at the half.
NCCU scored the first five points out of the locker room to pull to within six points (36-30) at 17:39.
With the score 47-37 at 13:03 after a lay-up by Ayala, Rutgers posted a 13-2 run to put the game away with a 60-39 and 9:33 left to play.
NCCU's Ayala scored a team-high 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from long range, and 2-of-3 from the foul line. Futrell, who played the entire game, contributed 17 points, six rebounds and six steals for the Eagles.
Four Scarlet Knights scored in double figures, powered by game highs of 24 points and nine boards from 6-9 junior forward J.R. Inman.
NCCU travels to Gainesville, Fla. on Tuesday for a Wednesday night contest against the two-time defending champion Gators of Florida, representing the second of four consecutive games for the Eagles as part of the Blue Ribbon Challenge.
