Rutgers men's basketball defeated the University of New Haven Chargers 81–54 Friday night in its 2026–27 season opener, giving acting head coach Brandin Knight his first win.
Rutgers guard Rasheed Jones and forward Tariq Francis each scored 14 points. Jones made his first four 3-point attempts. The Scarlet Knights shot 9 of 23 (39%) from 3-point range. Jones’ fourth 3-pointer extended Rutgers’ lead to 67–37 — its largest margin of the game.
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Francis hit his only 3-pointer during a 10–0 run early in the second half, pushing Rutgers’ advantage to 51–25. New Haven did not make a field goal in the first three minutes of the second half. Guard Jamichael Davis added 13 points, and forward Christian Gurdak had 12.
Teshaun Steele and Zoumana Traore each scored 15 points for New Haven. The Chargers are in their second season competing in NCAA Division I and the Northeast Conference. Aidan Losiewicz added 10 points. New Haven lost 74–58 at Syracuse on Monday.
Head coach Steve Pikiell is receiving cancer treatment. Knight is serving as acting head coach in his absence.
Rutgers hosts NJIT on Tuesday. New Haven plays Army on Tuesday.
More: NCAAM · Rutgers Scarlet Knights
