WITHOUT ECHENIQUE, HAMADY STEPS UP BIG FOR RUTGERS

Things are not getting any easier for Rutgers as the RU Men Overcome Loss of Greg Echenique and Slow Start to Defeat Monmouth (Star-Ledger) 66-52 Wednesday night at the RAC. Echenique is Expected to Miss a Month (NewJerseyNewsRoom.com), maybe more, after undergoing eye surgery Wednesday to repair a pre-existing condition. The loss is a big blow to the Scarlet Knights as Eqchenique has been averaging 12.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll this past Monday.

Hamady N'Diaye Fills in Well for Echenique (Asbury park Press) as the 7-foot senior scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked 8 shots in 29 minutes. Rutgers Erases 2nd Half Deficit With 17-1 Run (Asbury Park Press).

Trailing 37-34 early in the second half, the Scarlet Knights embarked ont he game-changing run over the next 6:14 to open a 51-38 advantage to hand Monmouth their 36th loss in 36 tries against Big East opponents.

Mike Rosario had a game-high 23 points for RU.

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RUTGERS RALLY'S PAST WINLESS COLGATE AFTER HEARING BOOS

Colgate entered Sunday's contest at the RAC with Rutgers at 0-7 on the season. For 20 minutes, they did not look like a winless club as they took a 35-30 lead into the half against the Scarlet Knights.

Saving (Some) Face (Hoops Haven) was the theme of the second half for RU as Rutgers Escapes Winless Colgate, 76-67 (Star-Ledger) behind 19 points (on just six field goal attemps) and 8 rebounds from sophomore Greg Echenique and 15 points and 8 rebounds from freshman Dane Miller.

Despite their tallest starter being just 6'6, Colgate outscored RU 14-4 in the paint in the first 20 minutes. The fans voiced their displeasure with the opening 20 minute effort from the Knights by serenading the home team with boos at the half.

After a stern halftime speech from the coaching staff, RU took control in the second half with a 13-3 run after Colgate scored the first bucket after intermission. Sophomore Mike Rosario added 14 points, but did not start the game because of a bruised shin.

Ru is now 5-2 on the season and will host Monmouth on Wednesday.

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RUTGERS GETS PAST PRINCETON IN MEN'S HOOPS

Rutgers improved to 4-2, but to most observers it was not a very fashionable victory as Rutgers Slogs Way Through 58-44 Win Over Princeton (Star-Ledger) last night at the RAC. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and Fred Hill had to like what he saw from one of his bigs as RU Center Greg Echenique Offers Glimpses of his Ability (Star-Ledger) with 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blockes in just 24 minutes of action in the win.

Jonathan Mitchell added 11 points, nine coming early in the first half to help RU overcome a slow and sloppy start to the game. The Knights' defense limited the Tigers to 28.8% shooting from the field, forced 15 turnovers and won the battle of the boards 41-28. What is also important, Rutgers won with sophomore Mike Rosario having an off night. The shooting guard was just 2-12 from the floor, finishing with nine point.

Last night's game was the first of a six-game home stand against lesser conference teams that will take RU through December 28th when they meet North Carolina. They follow that up with a home date against Cincinnati and a road trip to West Virginia to start conference play.

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