Rutgers Garden State Victory Over Seton Hall Could Pay Dividends Later
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 9: Clifford Omoruyi #11 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights holds up the Garden State Hardwood Classic Trophy along with teammates Jamichael Davis #1, Noah Fernandes #2, Oskar Palmquist #9, Aundre Hyatt #5 and Derek Simpson #0 after defeating the Seton Hall Pirates 70-63 in a game at Prudential Center on December 9, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey.
While it is still considered “early” in the college basketball season, Rutgers men’s hoops had what might be a season defining victory on Saturday night against in-state rival Seton Hall.
Not only did Rutgers win the Garden State Hardwood Classic 70-63, they dominated Seton Hall from pillar to post.
Rutgers never trailed as three-pointers by Noah Fernandes, Aundre Hyatt and Gavin Griffiths helped spearhead Rutgers to a 12-5 advantage early on.
The Scarlet Knights were deadly from downtown, connecting on 50 percent of their three-point attempts (12-of-24). Fernandes was especially dominant, tallying 19 points on 5-of-11 shooting with a trio of three-pointers.
The victory was also a coming out party for Clifford Omoruyi who dominated the glass with a double-double, 13 rebounds and 11 points. His efforts were enough to capture the Joe Calabrese Game MVP.
Omoruyi also became the 46th player in Rutgers history to record 1,000 points in men’s basketball.
“I challenged our guys. I am just really proud,” head coach Steve Pikiell said afterwards. “We will continue to get better. I thought they had a great focus. Seton Hall is always tough to play here. This group was really connected and I am proud of them.”
Rutgers showed it can shoot the lights out when they are rolling offensively, and their zone defense smothered Seton Hall, who shot only 36 percent from the floor.
Having Mawot Mag return from injury is also huge. Mag was a big part of Rutgers success last season before suffering a ACL injury last February at The Garden. He had four points and eight rebounds in Saturday’s win.
“You don’t know the journey it’s been. The rehab. He has been religious about his rehab. We have great doctors at Rutgers, and to have him back was a real lift in every way,” Pikiell added.
How big was this win?
In one word: HUGE! Seton Hall has dominated this series in recent years, winning seven of the last nine match-ups prior to Saturday’s festivities. The victory was also the first win at Prudential Center against Seton Hall since 2013 for the Scarlet Knights.
The win also snapped a two-game losing streak for Rutgers, who was coming off defeats to Illinois and Wake Forest. The win gets Rutgers back on track at 6-3 before LIU, Mississippi State and Stonehill to end the month.
While nothing is certain come March, this is a game that Rutgers can use to build off of. Last year, Rutgers lost this game to Seton Hall, and wound up losing out on a berth in the NCAA Tournament come selection Sunday. Perhaps a win like this could spearhead Rutgers to bigger things in the Big Ten in the coming weeks.
MORE RUTGERS NEWS: Rutgers Sports
7 Grinch-Inspired Christmas Decor
If there’s something here you decide you just have to have, we’ve provided links to the product websites. If you click on the link and make a purchase, Beasley Media Group may earn a commission. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at shopping@bbgi.com.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Grinchmas! Our favorite holiday grump is popular this time of year, with movies remade since the 60s, the beloved Dr. Seuss character is associated with Christmastime. The Grinch is depicted as a green, furry, Pot-bellied, pear-shaped, snub-nosed humanoid creature with a cat-like face and cynical personality. He has spent the past 53 years living in seclusion on a cliff, overlooking the town of Whoville. In contrast to the cheerful Whos, the Grinch is unfriendly with a mean temper. The Grinch especially hates Christmas, and decides to destroy it once and for all. His only companion is his pet dog, Max.
The Grinch and Max disguise themselves in red suits to break into the Whos’ homes on Christmas Eve while they sleep to steal everything they own, right down to the last crumb of food they have, and dump it off of a nearby mountain. Although he pulls off the heist successfully, he is shocked to hear the Whos still singing cheerfully, happy simply to have each other on Christmas Day. He then realizes that the holiday has a deeper meaning, and his heart grows “three sizes.” He returns all the gifts he stole and happily takes part in the Whos’ Christmas celebration.
We wouldn’t touch the Grinch with a 39-and-a-half-foot pole, but we would with these Christmas items! Take a look below at 7 Grinch-inspired Christmas decor items.
Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at shopping@bbgi.com.
Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.