Career Days From Ogbole, Grant Lifts Knights Over UNLV

Rutgers men’s basketball won its final game of the Players Era Tournament by beating UNLV 80-65. Career days from Emmanuel Ogbole and Dylan Grant helped to ensure that the Scarlet Knights would not leave Las Vegas empty handed. Rutgers would out-shoot the Runnin’ Rebels from the field, at the line, and beyond the arc en route to victory

The game started fast on offense for both teams, as Rutgers held a 10-7 lead with 15 minutes remaining in the first half. UNLV would go on a 10-8 run in the next five minutes to take a 17-15 lead with 10 minutes left to go in the first half. Five minutes later, the Knights would take the lead 25-24, before the Rebels would hit a three-pointer to take the lead right back. UNLV would extend its lead throughout the rest of the half, as the Rebels would go into the half with a 39-33 lead. Despite being down 6 at half, Ogbole almost tied his career points high, as he had 15 points in the first 20 minutes of play.

Rutgers would come out of the break on a hot streak, as they would tie the game at 39 with under 18 minutes to play and would take the lead 42-39 with 16:35 left to play. The Knights would hold UNLV scoreless for the first four and a half minutes of the second half, as they would amass a 5-point lead. Rutgers would push their lead to 10 with 10 minutes left to play in the game and would continue to hold that lead for the rest of the game.

The Rebels had no answer for inside Ogbole, as he would finish the day with 21 points and 13 rebounds, his new career high in both categories. Dylan Grant added 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Darren Buchanan Jr. had a solid outing as well, scoring 15 points and grabbing four rebounds.

Rutgers will be back in action next Tuesday at home, as they are set to open conference play against No.1 Purdue. Tip-off for that game is set for 8 pm, with live coverage being available on FS1.