HOFSTRA

RUT

Harper, Young and Mathis lead No. 24 Rutgers past Hofstra

AP
Nov 29, 2020

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Rutgers Scarlet Knights 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 Pride 70-56 on Sunday. It's the first time the Scarlet Knights (3-0) have won three games by 10 or more points to start a season since 1980-1981.

Rutgers was poised to make the NCAA Tournament for the first 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 first 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 - its largest of the game. 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, fifth-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'll be crabby for the next few days and it'll be good for our guys in practice.''

POLL IMPLICATIONS

After a 3-0 week to start the season vs. inferior nonconference opponents, Rutgers should stay right where they are in the poll.

ONE MORE GAME

With over a week off before the next scheduled game vs. Syracuse in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 8, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell would like to schedule at least one more game this week.

''If we can figure it out and do it the right time and honestly everything's about safety, everything's about how much testing and who's traveling, who's not traveling,'' Pikiell said. ''Our guys have been safe, we've been doing a really good job keeping them that way and so all the decisions will be made based on that.''

BLOCK PARTY

Big man Myles Johnson had five blocks for Rutgers, which had seven overall.

''If someone's late off a screen or late off a drive, they know I'm going to be there to help them,'' Johnson said. ''And hopefully I get more blocks to turn to rebounds that lead to fast breaks, so hopefully blocks turn to offense for us.''

NEXT COACH UP

Associate head coach Mike Farrelly is serving as the acting head coach for the Pride with coach Joe Mihalich on temporary medical leave.

BIG PICTURE

Hofstra: The Pride opened their season Sunday after a COVID-19 cancellation at Monmouth. After winning the Colonial Athletic Association for the first time last year, Hofstra was picked to repeat by coaches in the preseason poll. Kante was named to the preseason All-Conference First-Team, and Tareq Coburn and Ray earned honorable mention. However, the squad that went 26-8 last season has to replace its top two scorers, who graduated.

Rutgers: One week into a season where they were ranked in the preseason poll for the first time since 1978-79, the Scarlet Knights are 3-0. After playing low and mid-major teams, the first real test comes next Tuesday, when they host Syracuse.

UP NEXT

Hofstra: Hosts Fairleigh Dickinson on Monday.

Rutgers: Hosts Syracuse in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Tuesday, December 8.

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More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25

1st Half
HOF
Pride
21
RUTG
Scarlet Knights
32

Time		Play	Score
20:00		Isaac Kante vs. Clifford Omoruyi (Caleb Burgess gains possession)
19:46		Tareq Coburn misses three point jump shot
19:44		Clifford Omoruyi defensive rebound
19:25	+2	Montez Mathis makes two point alley-oop layup (Paul Mulcahy assists)	0-2
19:02	+2	Jalen Ray makes two point floating jump shot	2-2
18:45	+3	Ron Harper Jr. makes three point jump shot (Paul Mulcahy assists)	2-5
18:22		David Green misses two point floating jump shot
18:20		Montez Mathis defensive rebound
18:14	+2	Jacob Young makes two point layup	2-7
18:03	+3	Jalen Ray makes three point jump shot	5-7
17:47		David Green personal foul (Montez Mathis draws the foul)
17:36		Montez Mathis turnover (lost ball)
17:13		Isaac Kante misses two point layup
17:11		Paul Mulcahy defensive rebound
17:01		Montez Mathis misses two point jump shot
16:59		Tareq Coburn defensive rebound
16:51	+2	Tareq Coburn makes two point driving layup	7-7
16:43		Jacob Young turnover (lost ball) (Caleb Burgess steals)
16:41		Ron Harper Jr. personal foul (Caleb Burgess draws the foul)
16:37		Tareq Coburn misses three point jump shot
16:35		Montez Mathis defensive rebound
16:35		Montez Mathis misses three point jump shot
16:35		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
16:35		Isaac Kante turnover (traveling)
16:17		Ron Harper Jr. misses three point jump shot
16:15		Jalen Ray defensive rebound
16:08		Jalen Ray misses three point jump shot
16:06		Isaac Kante offensive rebound
16:01		Isaac Kante misses two point jump shot
15:59		Ron Harper Jr. defensive rebound
15:56	+3	Jacob Young makes three point jump shot (Ron Harper Jr. assists)	7-10
15:56		Jalen Ray personal foul
15:56		TV timeout
15:48		Paul Mulcahy turnover (traveling)
15:33		Caleb Burgess turnover (traveling)
15:21		Paul Mulcahy turnover (bad pass) (Isaac Kante steals)
15:01	+3	Jalen Ray makes three point jump shot	10-10
14:43	+2	Montez Mathis makes two point floating jump shot	10-12
14:14		Kvonn Cramer misses three point jump shot
14:12		Isaac Kante offensive rebound
14:06		Myles Johnson blocks Isaac Kante's two point layup
14:04		Paul Mulcahy defensive rebound
13:59	+2	Jacob Young makes two point layup (Paul Mulcahy assists)	10-14
13:33		Jump ball. Isaac Kante vs. Myles Johnson (Myles Johnson gains possession)
13:33		Isaac Kante turnover (lost ball) (Myles Johnson steals)
13:09		Ron Harper Jr. misses three point jump shot
13:07		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
12:57		Isaac Kante misses two point jump shot
12:55		Ron Harper Jr. defensive rebound
12:44		Jacob Young misses three point jump shot
12:42		Pride defensive rebound
12:26		Myles Johnson shooting foul (Kvonn Cramer draws the foul)
12:26		Kvonn Cramer misses regular free throw 1 of 2
12:26		Kvonn Cramer misses regular free throw 2 of 2
12:26		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
12:26		Kevin Schutte personal foul (Myles Johnson draws the foul)
12:16	+2	Jacob Young makes two point pullup jump shot	10-16
12:01		Mawot Mag shooting foul (Kvonn Cramer draws the foul)
12:01		Kvonn Cramer misses regular free throw 1 of 2
12:01	+1	Kvonn Cramer makes regular free throw 2 of 2	11-16
11:42		Kvonn Cramer shooting foul (Mawot Mag draws the foul)
11:42		TV timeout
11:42	+1	Mawot Mag makes regular free throw 1 of 2	11-17
11:42	+1	Mawot Mag makes regular free throw 2 of 2	11-18
11:27		Tareq Coburn misses two point layup
11:25		Paul Mulcahy defensive rebound
11:14	+2	Clifford Omoruyi makes two point dunk (Paul Mulcahy assists)	11-20
10:56		Shawndarius Cowart turnover (bad pass) (Mawot Mag steals)
10:50	+2	Mawot Mag makes two point layup	11-22
10:34		Omar Silverio misses two point jump shot
10:32		Mawot Mag defensive rebound
10:18		Paul Mulcahy turnover (lost ball) (Omar Silverio steals)
10:10	+2	Kvonn Cramer makes two point layup (Shawndarius Cowart assists)	13-22
9:49		Jacob Young misses two point floating jump shot
9:47		Kvonn Cramer defensive rebound
9:37	+2	Omar Silverio makes two point floating jump shot	15-22
9:13		Mawot Mag misses two point jump shot
9:11		Kevin Schutte defensive rebound
8:50		Caleb Burgess misses three point jump shot
8:48		Scarlet Knights defensive rebound
8:18	+2	Ron Harper Jr. makes two point step back jump shot	15-24
8:08		David Green misses three point jump shot
8:06		Isaac Kante offensive rebound
7:56		Omar Silverio misses three point jump shot
7:54		Clifford Omoruyi defensive rebound
7:45		Oskar Palmquist turnover (traveling)
7:45		TV timeout
7:19		Jalen Ray misses three point jump shot
7:17		Ron Harper Jr. defensive rebound
7:04	+3	Oskar Palmquist makes three point jump shot (Clifford Omoruyi assists)	15-27
6:42		Clifford Omoruyi personal foul (Isaac Kante draws the foul)
6:38		Jalen Ray turnover (traveling)
6:12		Oskar Palmquist misses three point jump shot
6:10		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
6:04		Ron Harper Jr. shooting foul (Omar Silverio draws the foul)
6:05	+1	Omar Silverio makes regular free throw 1 of 2	16-27
6:05		Omar Silverio misses regular free throw 2 of 2
6:04		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
5:43		Montez Mathis misses two point jump shot
5:41		Kvonn Cramer defensive rebound
5:30		Myles Johnson blocks Omar Silverio's two point layup
5:28		Pride offensive rebound
5:27		Isaac Kante offensive foul (Montez Mathis draws the foul)
5:27		Isaac Kante turnover
5:12		Jacob Young misses two point layup
5:10		Myles Johnson offensive rebound
5:10		Myles Johnson misses two point putback layup
5:08		Scarlet Knights offensive rebound
5:02		Myles Johnson misses two point reverse layup
5:00		Kevin Schutte defensive rebound
4:34		Vukasin Masic misses three point jump shot
4:32		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
4:20		Omar Silverio shooting foul (Jacob Young draws the foul)
4:20	+1	Jacob Young makes regular free throw 1 of 2	16-28
4:20	+1	Jacob Young makes regular free throw 2 of 2	16-29
4:01		Vukasin Masic misses two point jump shot
3:59		Jacob Young defensive rebound
3:51	+2	Montez Mathis makes two point driving layup (Jacob Young assists)	16-31
3:52		Isaac Kante shooting foul (Montez Mathis draws the foul)
3:51		TV timeout
3:52	+1	Montez Mathis makes regular free throw 1 of 1	16-32
3:26		Kvonn Cramer misses three point jump shot
3:24		Jacob Young defensive rebound
3:20		Jacob Young turnover (bad pass) (Kvonn Cramer steals)
3:12		Vukasin Masic misses three point jump shot
3:10		Paul Mulcahy defensive rebound
2:50		Jacob Young misses two point floating jump shot
2:48		Vukasin Masic defensive rebound
2:38		Omar Silverio misses three point jump shot
2:36		Isaac Kante offensive rebound
2:34		Isaac Kante misses two point layup
2:32		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
2:29		Jacob Young misses two point reverse layup
2:27		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
2:02		Paul Mulcahy blocks Vukasin Masic's two point layup
2:02		Pride offensive rebound
2:00		Pride turnover (shot clock violation)
1:54		Montez Mathis turnover (bad pass) (Jalen Ray steals)
1:48	+2	Jalen Ray makes two point layup (Caleb Burgess assists)	18-32
1:30		Kevin Schutte blocks Myles Johnson's two point layup
1:30		Pride defensive rebound
1:18		Myles Johnson blocks Caleb Burgess's two point layup
1:18		Pride offensive rebound
1:18		Mawot Mag personal foul
1:13		Jalen Ray misses two point jump shot
1:11		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
0:44		Caleb Burgess shooting foul (Montez Mathis draws the foul)
0:44		Montez Mathis misses regular free throw 1 of 2
0:44		Montez Mathis misses regular free throw 2 of 2
0:44		Omar Silverio defensive rebound
0:29		Myles Johnson blocks Kevin Schutte's two point layup
0:27		Pride offensive rebound
0:19	+2	Jalen Ray makes two point driving layup	20-32
0:19		Jacob Young shooting foul (Jalen Ray draws the foul)
0:19	+1	Jalen Ray makes regular free throw 1 of 1	21-32
0:01		Ron Harper Jr. blocks Caleb Burgess's three point jump shot
0:04		Montez Mathis misses two point layup
0:03		Kevin Schutte defensive rebound
0:01		Ron Harper Jr. blocks Caleb Burgess's three point jump shot
0:01		Paul Mulcahy defensive rebound

2nd Half
HOF
Pride
35
RUTG
Scarlet Knights
38

Time		Play	Score
19:46		David Green turnover (lost ball) (Paul Mulcahy steals)
19:36	+3	Jacob Young makes three point jump shot (Paul Mulcahy assists)	21-35
19:24		Clifford Omoruyi shooting foul (Isaac Kante draws the foul)
19:24	+1	Isaac Kante makes regular free throw 1 of 2	22-35
19:24	+1	Isaac Kante makes regular free throw 2 of 2	23-35
19:04		Montez Mathis misses two point jump shot
19:02		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
18:40		Jalen Ray misses two point jump shot
18:38		Montez Mathis defensive rebound
18:38		Clifford Omoruyi misses two point dunk
18:36		David Green defensive rebound
18:32		David Green turnover (lost ball) (Clifford Omoruyi steals)
18:28	+2	Clifford Omoruyi makes two point alley-oop dunk (Montez Mathis assists)	23-37
18:15		David Green misses three point jump shot
18:13		Ron Harper Jr. defensive rebound
18:09	+2	Montez Mathis makes two point layup (Ron Harper Jr. assists)	23-39
17:43		David Green misses three point jump shot
17:41		Paul Mulcahy defensive rebound
17:29		Ron Harper Jr. misses three point jump shot
17:27		Paul Mulcahy offensive rebound
17:25	+2	Paul Mulcahy makes two point putback layup	23-41
17:22		Pride 30 second timeout
17:22		TV timeout
17:02		Caleb Burgess turnover (bad pass)
16:42	+2	Ron Harper Jr. makes two point turnaround jump shot (Paul Mulcahy assists)	23-43
16:19		David Green misses two point jump shot
16:17		Paul Mulcahy defensive rebound
16:06		Jacob Young misses three point jump shot
16:04		Paul Mulcahy offensive rebound
16:05	+2	Clifford Omoruyi makes two point putback layup (Ron Harper Jr. assists)	23-45
15:42		Tareq Coburn misses two point jump shot
15:40		Isaac Kante offensive rebound
15:40	+2	Isaac Kante makes two point putback layup	25-45
15:31		Ron Harper Jr. turnover (lost ball) (Kvonn Cramer steals)
15:21		Ron Harper Jr. personal foul (Jalen Ray draws the foul)
15:21		TV timeout
15:10	+3	Tareq Coburn makes three point jump shot (Jalen Ray assists)	28-45
14:47		Montez Mathis misses three point jump shot
14:45		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
14:22		Kvonn Cramer misses three point jump shot
14:20		Clifford Omoruyi defensive rebound
14:12		Tareq Coburn shooting foul (Clifford Omoruyi draws the foul)
14:12		Clifford Omoruyi misses regular free throw 1 of 2
14:12		Clifford Omoruyi misses regular free throw 2 of 2
14:12		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
14:01		Shawndarius Cowart turnover (traveling)
13:43		Myles Johnson turnover (lost ball) (Tareq Coburn steals)
13:37		Kvonn Cramer misses two point dunk
13:35		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
13:28		Jalen Ray blocks Jacob Young's two point layup
13:28		Jacob Young offensive rebound
13:27	+2	Myles Johnson makes two point dunk (Paul Mulcahy assists)	28-47
13:16	+2	Kvonn Cramer makes two point alley-oop dunk (Shawndarius Cowart assists)	30-47
12:57		Jacob Young misses two point driving layup
12:55		Mawot Mag offensive rebound
12:38		Paul Mulcahy misses three point jump shot
12:36		Kevin Schutte defensive rebound
12:27	+2	Kevin Schutte makes two point dunk (Jalen Ray assists)	32-47
12:04		Shawndarius Cowart shooting foul (Paul Mulcahy draws the foul)
12:04		Paul Mulcahy misses regular free throw 1 of 2
12:04	+1	Paul Mulcahy makes regular free throw 2 of 2	32-48
11:45		Shawndarius Cowart turnover (Jacob Young steals)
11:41		Jacob Young misses two point jump shot
11:39		Ron Harper Jr. offensive rebound
11:35		Ron Harper Jr. misses two point putback layup
11:33		Kvonn Cramer defensive rebound
11:27		Shawndarius Cowart misses three point jump shot
11:20		Ron Harper Jr. defensive rebound
11:20		Oskar Palmquist misses two point layup
11:18		Kvonn Cramer defensive rebound
10:55	+3	Omar Silverio makes three point jump shot	35-48
10:36		Myles Johnson turnover (bad pass) (Kvonn Cramer steals)
10:26		Oskar Palmquist shooting foul (Kvonn Cramer draws the foul)
10:26		TV timeout
10:26	+1	Shawndarius Cowart makes regular free throw 1 of 2	36-48
10:26	+1	Shawndarius Cowart makes regular free throw 2 of 2	37-48
10:06	+2	Montez Mathis makes two point pullup jump shot (Myles Johnson assists)	37-50
9:41	+3	Kvonn Cramer makes three point jump shot (Omar Silverio assists)	40-50
9:15		Ron Harper Jr. misses two point layup
9:13		Ron Harper Jr. offensive rebound
9:10	+2	Ron Harper Jr. makes two point putback layup	40-52
8:58		Omar Silverio turnover (bad pass) (Jacob Young steals)
8:56		Omar Silverio personal foul (Jacob Young draws the foul)
8:42		Myles Johnson turnover (bad pass) (Shawndarius Cowart steals)
8:22		Isaac Kante misses two point layup
8:20		Ron Harper Jr. defensive rebound
8:16		Isaac Kante personal foul (Dean Reiber draws the foul)
8:16	+1	Dean Reiber makes regular free throw 1 of 2	40-53
8:16	+1	Dean Reiber makes regular free throw 2 of 2	40-54
7:54	+2	Jalen Ray makes two point finger roll layup	42-54
7:34		TV timeout
7:26		Paul Mulcahy misses two point reverse layup
7:24		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
7:04		Kvonn Cramer turnover (bad pass) (Clifford Omoruyi steals)
6:49	+2	Ron Harper Jr. makes two point finger roll layup (Jacob Young assists)	42-56
6:49		Isaac Kante shooting foul (Ron Harper Jr. draws the foul)
6:49	+1	Ron Harper Jr. makes regular free throw 1 of 1	42-57
6:30		Kvonn Cramer misses three point jump shot
6:28		Clifford Omoruyi defensive rebound
6:17		Kvonn Cramer shooting foul (Montez Mathis draws the foul)
6:17	+1	Montez Mathis makes regular free throw 1 of 2	42-58
6:17		Montez Mathis misses regular free throw 2 of 2
6:17		Tareq Coburn defensive rebound
5:58		Tareq Coburn misses three point jump shot
5:56		Clifford Omoruyi defensive rebound
5:51		Montez Mathis turnover (bad pass) (Shawndarius Cowart steals)
5:51		Ron Harper Jr. personal foul (Shawndarius Cowart draws the foul)
5:29		Caleb Burgess misses three point jump shot
5:27		Clifford Omoruyi defensive rebound
5:02		Paul Mulcahy turnover (bad pass) (Caleb Burgess steals)
4:58	+2	Jalen Ray makes two point reverse layup (Caleb Burgess assists)	44-58
4:44		David Green personal foul (Mawot Mag draws the foul)
4:44	+1	Mawot Mag makes regular free throw 1 of 2	44-59
4:44		Mawot Mag misses regular free throw 2 of 2
4:44		Tareq Coburn defensive rebound
4:25		Myles Johnson shooting foul (Tareq Coburn draws the foul)
4:25	+1	Tareq Coburn makes regular free throw 1 of 3	45-59
4:25	+1	Tareq Coburn makes regular free throw 2 of 3	46-59
4:25		Tareq Coburn misses regular free throw 3 of 3
4:25		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
4:00		Paul Mulcahy misses three point jump shot
3:58		Montez Mathis offensive rebound
3:58		Myles Johnson misses two point layup
3:56		Kevin Schutte defensive rebound
3:43	+2	Jalen Ray makes two point layup	48-59
3:34		Scarlet Knights 30 second timeout
3:34		TV timeout
3:23		Kevin Schutte personal foul (Myles Johnson draws the foul)
3:23	+1	Myles Johnson makes regular free throw 1 of 2	48-60
3:23	+1	Myles Johnson makes regular free throw 2 of 2	48-61
3:10		Myles Johnson blocks Kevin Schutte's two point dunk
3:08		Myles Johnson defensive rebound
3:06		Caleb Burgess personal foul (Myles Johnson draws the foul)
3:06		Myles Johnson misses regular free throw 1 of 1
3:06		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
2:47		Tareq Coburn misses three point jump shot
2:45		Montez Mathis defensive rebound
2:22	+2	Montez Mathis makes two point dunk (Ron Harper Jr. assists)	48-63
2:10		Tareq Coburn misses two point jump shot
2:10		Montez Mathis defensive rebound
2:10		Scarlet Knights 30 second timeout
1:53		Jump ball. Montez Mathis vs. Isaac Kante (Isaac Kante gains possession)
1:53		Montez Mathis turnover (lost ball) (Isaac Kante steals)
1:44		Isaac Kante misses two point layup
1:42		Isaac Kante offensive rebound
1:42		Isaac Kante misses two point putback layup
1:40		Isaac Kante offensive rebound
1:40	+2	Isaac Kante makes two point tip shot	50-63
1:40		Paul Mulcahy personal foul (Isaac Kante draws the foul)
1:40	+1	Isaac Kante makes regular free throw 1 of 1	51-63
1:35		Caleb Burgess shooting foul (Jacob Young draws the foul)
1:35		Jacob Young misses regular free throw 1 of 2
1:35	+1	Jacob Young makes regular free throw 2 of 2	51-64
1:30	+3	Jalen Ray makes three point jump shot (Caleb Burgess assists)	54-64
1:17	+2	Ron Harper Jr. makes two point driving layup (Clifford Omoruyi assists)	54-66
1:10		Montez Mathis personal foul (Tareq Coburn draws the foul)
1:10		Tareq Coburn misses regular free throw 1 of 1
1:10		Clifford Omoruyi defensive rebound
1:09		Jalen Ray personal foul (Clifford Omoruyi draws the foul)
1:09	+1	Clifford Omoruyi makes regular free throw 1 of 2	54-67
1:09		Clifford Omoruyi misses regular free throw 2 of 2
1:09		Isaac Kante defensive rebound
0:58		Caleb Burgess turnover (bad pass) (Paul Mulcahy steals)
0:46		Jalen Ray personal foul (Jacob Young draws the foul)
0:46	+1	Jacob Young makes regular free throw 1 of 2	54-68
0:46	+1	Jacob Young makes regular free throw 2 of 2	54-69
0:41		Montez Mathis personal foul (Tareq Coburn draws the foul)
0:41		Tareq Coburn misses regular free throw 1 of 1
0:41		Ron Harper Jr. defensive rebound
0:29		Tareq Coburn personal foul (Ron Harper Jr. draws the foul)
0:29		Ron Harper Jr. misses regular free throw 1 of 2
0:29	+1	Ron Harper Jr. makes regular free throw 2 of 2	54-70
0:16		Montez Mathis shooting foul (Omar Silverio draws the foul)
0:17	+1	Omar Silverio makes regular free throw 1 of 2	55-70
0:17	+1	Omar Silverio makes regular free throw 2 of 2	56-70
0:00		End of period

+ 1

Omar Silverio makes regular free throw 2 of 2