Freshman stars Harper, Bailey help No. 24 Rutgers beat Monmouth 98-81
Freshman stars Harper, Bailey help No. 24 Rutgers beat Monmouth 98-81
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth guard Jack Collins (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) and Monmouth guard Jack Collins (13) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Monmouth guard Aric Demings (11) defends against Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Monmouth forward Chris Morgan (21) shoots over Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth guard Jack Collins (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth guard Jack Collins (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) and Monmouth guard Jack Collins (13) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) and Monmouth guard Jack Collins (13) battle for a rebound during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Monmouth guard Aric Demings (11) defends against Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Monmouth guard Aric Demings (11) defends against Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers guard Ace Bailey (4) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) reacts after making a three point shot against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Monmouth forward Chris Morgan (21) shoots over Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Monmouth forward Chris Morgan (21) shoots over Rutgers center Zach Martini (99) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Dylan Harper scored 20 points, fellow freshman Ace Bailey had 17 in his college debut and No. 24 Rutgers beat Monmouth 98-81 on Friday night.
After missing the first two games of the season with what coach Steve Pikiell called a “basketball injury,” Bailey made the first shot of the game — a 3-pointer from the right corner. The guard added six rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot in 30 minutes.
Harper has scored at least 20 points in each game this season for Rutgers (3-0). He added five rebounds and six assists.
Zach Martini added 18 points, and Lathan Sommerville had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Abdi Bashir Jr. led Monmouth (0-4) with a career-high 38 points. He was 10 of 17 from 3-point range. Madison Durr added 17 points.
Rutgers never trailed. The Scarlet Knights were 11 of 20 from 3-point range and made 25 of 32 free throws.
Takeaways
Monmouth: The Hawks have an average losing margin of 21 points.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights continue to feast on mid-majors. They are 63-7 in nonconference home games under Steve Pikiell since the 2016-17 season.
Key moment
Ace Bailey’s alley-oop dunk off a turnover gave Rutgers a 42-25 lead.
Key stat
Rutgers shot 61% from the field (30 of 52)
Up next
Monmouth is at Wichita State on Monday night. Rutgers hosts Merrimack on Wednesday night.
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