Ace Bailey double-double helps No. 24 Rutgers improve to 4-0 with 74-63 win over Merrimack
The Rutgers men's basketball team defeated Merrimack 74-63 on Wednesday night. The Scarlet Knights (4-0, 0-0) were able to pull off the win in front of the home crowd in their last game in Piscataway until December 10.
No. 24 Rutgers won the game but left a lot to be desired, particularly defensively, which has become a recurring theme through four games.
The first half was back and forth as the Warriors' (1-3, 0-0) zone defense made the Knights work offensively, and Budd Clark was making tough shot after tough shot at the other end against the Rutgers defense. Through approximately 12 minutes, the Knights held just a 1-point lead at 25-24.
Unlike in previous games, Rutgers was defending the three-pointer well. But the Knights struggled to slow down Merrimack's mid-range game and paint scoring. Clark was especially giving them issues, as he scored 14 points in the first half without making a single three.
While the defensive issues weren't exactly solved, on the other end, the Rutgers offense was operating well against a tough defense. Nine different Knights scored in the first half. Rutgers' star freshmen trio (yes, trio, not duo) led the way, as forward Ace Bailey and center Lathan Sommerville had 7 points apiece, and guard Dylan Harper had 6. The Knights led 37-30 at the half.
Rutgers' defense was imperfect yet again in the second half. The Budd Clark Show continued as he finished off with 22 points. The 5-foot-10 guard scored at will throughout the game and was the third different 20-plus-point scorer the Knights have allowed this season, with Saint Peter's' Marcus Randolph and Monmouth's Abdi Bashir Jr. being the others.
The Warriors trimmed the Rutgers lead to as little as 7 points with 2:53 to play in the game, but ultimately, Harper and Bailey came through down the stretch and eked the Knights to their 11-point win margin. The star duo scored 15 of the team's final 19 points across the last 10 minutes of the game.
Bailey finished with 23 points on an efficient 9 for 15 from the field and 10 rebounds. While the scoring was certainly impressive, rebounding was a major focus coming into the game and Bailey lived up to the task with double-digit boards.
"We practiced, 30 minutes, just rebounding drills," Bailey said. "We're tired, beating each other up, rebounding, rebounding, rebounding, rebounding — we preach that a lot."
When asked what he likes doing better, making tough shots or throwing down otherworldly-athletic dunks, Bailey answered in a way that would surely make head coach Steve Pikiell happy.
"The rebounds ... the 10 rebounds made me happy," Bailey said humorously.
Harper failed to reach at least 20 points for the first time in his young career but still finished with a solid all-around game with 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Against his former team, junior guard Jordan Derkack tallied 7 points, six rebounds and five assists.
"I love those guys, but on the court, we do what we got to do," Derkack said about facing his old teammates and coaches.
Rutgers now travels to Kennesaw, Georgia, to play Kennesaw State in what is a homecoming game for Bailey and sophomore guard Jamichael Davis.
"It's already sold out," Bailey said. "I know it's gonna be a crazy crowd, me and J-Mike coming back ... the support is there."
Following that contest, the Knights will head out to Las Vegas for the Players Era Tournament, where they will face some tough competition.
Sitting at a 4-0 record with sky-high expectations moving forward, Rutgers is still hungry.
"A wise man told me, 'it don't matter get better'," Bailey said.
For more updates on the Rutgers men’s basketball team, follow @TargumSports on X.
To view more of Camden Markel's work, follow @CamdenMarkel on X.
