Rutgers 58, Princeton 52: Eli Carter came off the bench to score 16 of his 22 points in the first half as the visiting Scarlet Knights staved off their Garden State rival.
Carter shot 4-of-6 from 3-point range and Myles Mack added 16 points for Rutgers (2-1), which has won two in a row following a season-opening 56-52 setback to St. Peter's.
Will Barrett drilled a trio of 3-pointers en route to a team-high 13 points for Princeton (1-2), which saw its modest two-game winning streak over the Big East representative come to an end.
After Denton Koon scored the Tigers' last six points to trim the deficit to 50-46, Austin Johnson converted a pair of free throws before his layup and subsequent foul shot gave Rutgers an eight-point advantage with 1:54 left.
The Tigers bolted out to a 12-3 lead before Mack drilled a pair of 3-pointers and scored 11 of his team's next 18 points as Rutgers seized a 21-18 advantage.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Scarlet Knights, who finished 7-of-13 from 3-point range, connected on 6-of-10 attempts during the first half. ... Kansas State transfer Wally Judge, who has posted double-doubles in his previous two contests this season, was held scoreless for Rutgers on Friday. ... The Scarlet Knights held a decisive 40-23 edge in rebounds, with all nine players who entered the game securing at least one.
Rutgers | Princeton | |
Eli Carter 22 | Scoring | Will Barrett 13 |
Eli Carter 2 | Assists | Ian Hummer 6 |
Kadeem Jack 7 | Rebounds | T.J. Bray 8 |
Eli Carter 6 | Free Throws Made | Denton Koon 5 |
Wally Judge 2 | Steals | Chris Clement 2 |
Dane Miller 4 | Blocks | Ian Hummer 2 |