SB Nation New York - Rutgers Basketball: Scarlet Knights Plays Tough But Fall Short To No. 8 Villanovahttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-01-02T16:08:36-05:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16734442011-01-02T16:08:36-05:002011-01-02T16:08:36-05:00Rutgers Basketball: Scarlet Knights Plays Tough But Fall Short To No. 8 Villanova
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k4AZ3zUXGjVqYFKP2-sft2B2rWA=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828127/large_newyork.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/rutgers-scarlet-knights">Rutgers Scarlet Knights</a> almost pulled out a weekend sweep for SB Nation New York college hoops teams but fell short on Sunday.</p>
<p>Here's the rest from SB Nation's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/70240/recap?article_id=133214">Sports Network</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Villanova, PA (Sports Network) - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26320/corey-stokes">Corey Stokes</a> scored 23 points and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/26315/corey-fisher">Corey Fisher</a> added 19, as eighth-ranked Villanova pulled away late in the second half for an 81-65 victory over Rutgers in the Big East opener for both schools at the Pavilion.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100054/maalik-wayns">Maalik Wayns</a> contributed nine points, nine assists and eight rebounds for Villanova (12-1, 1-0 Big East), which has won seven straight since a loss to Tennessee in the championship game of the NIT Season Tip-off at Madison Square Garden on November 26.</p>
<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/29056/jonathan-mitchell">Jonathan Mitchell</a> scored 17 points and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/100034/james-beatty">James Beatty</a> chipped in 14 for the Scarlet Knights (9-4, 0-1), who lost by 23 at North Carolina in their last contest on December 28. Rutgers had won six straight before that setback.</p>
<p>Villanova trailed 37-33 at the break, but scored the first 11 points to start the second half. Stokes netted eight during the early burst and his three- pointer just over two minutes into the period gave the Wildcats a 44-37 lead."</p>
<p>(<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/70240/recap?article_id=133214">Read more</a>.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Big East basketball fans need to take away that this conference gets tougher and tougher each week. Remember, this game wasn't played at the RAC but on the road.</p>
<p>Head coach Mike Rice has this team at least competing in the conference. And, gauging success from previous seasons, that's saying a lot.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/1/2/2327353/rutgers-basketball-scarlet-knights-plays-tough-but-fall-short-to-no-8Jared Smith