Cam Spencer scored 15 points and did not miss a shot as host Rutgers took control early and pulled away in the second half for an 81-57 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon at Piscataway, N.J.
The Scarlet Knights (7-4) bounced back nicely from a pair of gut-wrenching losses to Ohio State and Seton Hall and never trailed.
Spencer, who was held to four points in Sunday’s 45-43 loss to Seton Hall, made all five of his shots Saturday, including two -pointers early in the second half.
Clifford Omoruyi added 14 points and nine rebounds as Rutgers dominated inside and shot a season-high 58.5 percent. Caleb McConnell contributed 13 points and had three of Rutgers’ 14 steals, while Paul Mulcahy and Aundre Hyatt chipped in 10 points apiece
Damari Monsanto scored a season-high 22 points and tied a career best with six 3-pointers but Wake Forest (8-4) shot 40.0 percent and committed a season-worst 22 turnovers. The Demon Deacons lost for the third time in four games and were unable to get their second win over a Big Ten opponent after beating Wisconsin earlier this season.
Cameron Hildreth added 13 points for Wake Forest, but ACC leading scorer Tyree Appleby was held to 10. Appleby was questionable due to an ankle injury then didn’t play for the final 12:02 after picking up three of his four fouls in a span of 22 seconds.
Rutgers opened an 18-8 lead on Derek Simpson’s layup with 14:10 remaining in the first half before Monsanto’s 3-pointer pulled Wake Forest within 24-20 five minutes later.
Hyatt banked in a 3-pointer, hit a foul line jumper before McConnell hit a layup for a 36-20 lead with 5:12 remaining in the first half to cap a 12-0 run and the lead reached 43-26 less than two minutes later before Wake Forest got within 43-33 by halftime.
Rutgers began pulling away in the opening minutes of the second half as Spencer hit two 3-pointers and Mulcahy bullied his way inside for a layup as Rutgers opened a 55-35 lead less than four minutes into the second half.
After a 3-pointer by Daivien Williamson moved Wake Forest within 57-47 with 13:21 remaining, Rutgers finished it off by scoring 11 straight to open a 75-52 lead on a basket by Hyatt with 6:20 remaining.
–Field Level Media
