HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) -Justin Rutty scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead Quinnipiac over Monmouth 65-51 in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams Saturday.
Rutty also blocked three shots and Quinnipiac broke open a close game early in the second half.
Quinnipiac freshman point guard James Johnson nearly had a triple-double for the Bobcats (4-3, 1-0) as he scored 12 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed nine rebounds.
James Feldeine added 18 points and eight rebounds for Quinnipiac. The Bobcats dominated the rebounding battle 49-22.
Monmouth (1-8, 0-1) raced out to a 16-4 lead powered by Yaniv Simpson, who had 11 points in the run. Simpson led the Hawks with 17 points and Travis Taylor added 11.
