PISCATAWAY, NJ – – Freshman Ace Bailey scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead No. 24 Rutgers to a 74-63 victory over Merrimack on Wednesday night.

It was the second win in a row for Rutgers (4-0). The Scarlet Knights defeated Monmouth 98-81 on Friday.

Freshman Dylan Harper added 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Rutgers.

Adam Clark led Merrimack (1-3) with 22 points and six assists, and Sean Trumper added 10 points.

Rutgers was 7 of 17 from beyond the arc (41%). Merrimack was just 4 of 24 from three-point range (17%).

Merrimack pulled within 65-58 with 2:53 to go before Rutgers went on a 7-0 run.

Takeaways

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights have completed their first four home games, now they hit the road for their biggest test. After traveling to Georgia to face Kennesaw State, Rutgers heads to Las Vegas to take on Notre Dame and No. 8 Alabama to play at the Players Era Festival from November 26 to 27.

Merrimack: Clark is a top scorer for the Warriors. He is averaging 21 points per game, but Merrimack will need to come up with secondary scoring in his first season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference after leaving the Northeast Conference.

Key moment

Bailey’s turnaround jumper provided the Scarlet Knights with a 57-44 cushion, their largest lead to date, with 8:32 to play.

Key stat

Rutgers enjoyed a huge differential at the free-throw line, going 17-of-23, while Merrimack was 7-of-7.

Next

Merrimack is at Butler on Friday. Rutgers is at Kennesaw State on Sunday.

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