Pirates Win In-State Rivalry Opener
by Ray Floriani
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A good start in conference play is crucial. For Rutgers and Seton Hall, the meeting at Continental Airlines Arena transcended that. Both schools have new coaches, presently establishing a foundation and personal signature on their respective programs. The conference coaches will tell you it is vital to defend your home floor while hoping to gain a split on foreign soil. Finally, for both schools, regardless of game location, this meant a great opportunity to capture a very winnable game in Big East play. Seton Hall was able to do just that in securing a 77-72 victory at Continental Airlines Arena.
Interestingly, both coaches came away with a positive feeling about the contest. Naturally Rutgers mentor Fred Hill wants to win basketball games, but the Rutgers mentor was very encouraged about what he saw.
“We talked in the early season about playing tough games like Kansas State and North Carolina on the road,” Hill said. “We did the things we had to do to get ready. We got out of character early tonight but we battled back.”
Rutgers was looking at an eighteen-point deficit late in the first half. The Hall was draining threes, getting out on the break and running on all cylinders. Then the Scarlet Knights went on a 17-0 tear to get back in it. The Scarlet Knights showed resiliency, as did their opposition.
Rutgers took a one-point lead late in the game before Seton Hall responded in the stretch. Many times a team surrendering a big lead and falling behind late will fold. Not on this night with Seton Hall.
“We had the mental toughness to win that game,” Pirate coach Bobby Gonzalez said. “Our kids were iron-willed.”
After losing that huge lead at home, the Pirates simply made plays, like a crucial Paul Gause steal and Eugene Harvey offensive rebound on a free throw with seconds remaining, to seal the win.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Gonzalez said. “We scrap and find a way to win. Every game we play is like that.” And will continue to be as conference play progresses.
J.R. Inman led Rutgers with 18 points and Hill is pleased with his 6’8″ sophomore, feeling that he is becoming a complete player. Brian Laing and Eugene Harvey of Seton Hall shared game-high scoring honors with 21 points.
Another tell-tale sign for the Hall was a scoring drought. It happened late in the first half when Rutgers went on their tear to get back in the contest. The droughts, which have occurred a number of times this season, have a snowballing effect. Seton Hall is at its best when they press, force turnovers and get an up-tempo game unleashed. The problem is that it is virtually impossible to set up an effective press if you are not scoring. So the scoring lapses hurt on the offensive and defensive ends as well.
George Candia, a former assistant to Bob Hurley at St. Anthony’s and currently a Charlotte Bobcat scout, was very impressed with Harvey.
“He gets in the lane at will,” Candia said. “If he ever develops an outside shot, the sky is the limit for him.” Candia still makes his home in Jersey City, NJ and speaks with Hurley on a regular basis.
Rutgers sophomore swingman Jaron Griffin added 15 points 6 rebounds and was instrumental in helping the Scarlet Knights battle back late in the first half. At 6’7″ Griffin showed a nice perimeter touch and hit 2 of 5 from beyond the arc.
Notes
- Scoreboard watching: Across the Hudson, underdog St. John’s upset DePaul, snapping their modest win streak. As coaches Hill and Gonzalez noted, wins are not easy in this conference.
- Rutgers coach Fred Hill did not make much of the rivalry angle. His concentration was on having the kids play hard and steal a road win. Gonzalez, on the other hand, was aware of the situation. “Rivalry games are big,” Gonzalez said. “When I was at Manhattan we beat Fordham five straight times, so we are well aware of the importance of rivalries.”
- Rutgers’ backcourt did a solid job overall. Anthony Farmer had a 17-point, four-assist outing, while Marquis Webb, who had a career high 28 against South Carolina State in the previous contest, added 12 points.
