PISCATAWAY, N.J.—For the second straight game Rutgers forward Dane Miller struggled offensively. Fortunately for the Scarlet Knights it didn’t equate to the second straight loss.
In what looked like it could be an easy victory for Rutgers going in, the 66–54 win came from a back-and-forth contest with NJIT until late in the game.
With 7:20 remaining, the Scarlet Knights (4–2) only led the Highlanders (1–4) by four, 49–45.
Rutgers would then go on an 8–0 run over the next three minutes giving them a 57–45 lead with 4:59 remaining. The 12-point deficit would be too much to overcome for the Highlanders—especially with Rutgers stepping up its defense over the last seven minutes.
Despite his problems on offense, it was Miller (three points, four rebounds, and one assist) that led the defensive intensity during that stretch.
“From a forward who seems to be struggling offensively, who literally picked our energy up and single-handedly probably helped us win a game, that’s Dane Miller’s defense the last seven minutes,” head coach Mike Rice said.
With Miller unable to get anything going—his first bucket from the field came with just under 12 minutes to play—the Scarlet Knights relied on Gilvydas Biruta.
In what looked like it could be an easy victory for Rutgers going in, the 66–54 win came from a back-and-forth contest with NJIT until late in the game.
With 7:20 remaining, the Scarlet Knights (4–2) only led the Highlanders (1–4) by four, 49–45.
Rutgers would then go on an 8–0 run over the next three minutes giving them a 57–45 lead with 4:59 remaining. The 12-point deficit would be too much to overcome for the Highlanders—especially with Rutgers stepping up its defense over the last seven minutes.
Despite his problems on offense, it was Miller (three points, four rebounds, and one assist) that led the defensive intensity during that stretch.
“From a forward who seems to be struggling offensively, who literally picked our energy up and single-handedly probably helped us win a game, that’s Dane Miller’s defense the last seven minutes,” head coach Mike Rice said.
With Miller unable to get anything going—his first bucket from the field came with just under 12 minutes to play—the Scarlet Knights relied on Gilvydas Biruta.
The true freshman forward had a career night with 20 points while adding 7 boards. That makes three games in a row Biruta has scored a career-high.
“Just playing basketball,” Biruta said of his recent outburst. “I don’t really pay too much attention to career-highs.”
The adjustment to the college game also equates to St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) product’s offensive explosion.
“Of course a little bit [more] confident,” Biruta said. “Getting used to the players. They trust me a little bit more. I’m not causing too many turnovers.”
Biruta’s also not committing as many fouls, which is helping him stay on the floor.
“I don’t reach so much right now. I don’t go over the back,” Biruta said. “Just trying to calm down.”
The Knights other starting post player, Jonathan Mitchell, was a major contributor along with Biruta. The senior forward recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and a career-high 3 blocks.
While not getting as easy of a win as one would expect, Rutgers can be taught from just that.
“One thing we have to learn from this is we’re not good enough just to show up on any opponent on our schedule,” Rice said. “We have to have that energy, that passion to play for one another that certainly wasn’t there for 30 minutes.”
Follow Matt on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MattSugam and tune in every Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EST on WRSU-FM as he cohosts Scarlet Football Fever discussing Rutgers football as well as the N.Y. Jets and Giants.
