PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Interstat) — In a game defined by paint dominance and offensive rebounding, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights remained undefeated Friday night by pulling away from the Lehigh Mountain Hawks for an 84-72 victory before a crowd of 8,000 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center.

The Scarlet Knights improved to 3-0 on the young season, while the Mountain Hawks fell to 1-3.

Rutgers never trailed, establishing control early and methodically extending its lead throughout the contest. The Scarlet Knights built a 41-34 advantage by halftime and maintained a steady offensive pace in the second half, outscoring Lehigh 43-38 to secure the double-digit win.

The game was ultimately decided by Rutgers’ overwhelming performance in the paint and on the glass. The Scarlet Knights outscored Lehigh 52-34 inside and, most critically, grabbed 12 offensive rebounds to Lehigh’s 4, leading to a 19-4 advantage in second-chance points. This interior dominance compensated for a poor shooting night from beyond the arc, where Rutgers connected on just 3 of 13 attempts.

Rutgers was led by a dominant performance from Dylan Grant. The 6-foot-7 forward from Mississauga, Canada, scored a game-high 28 points in just 29 minutes, efficiently capitalizing on opportunities around the basket. His presence was a constant challenge for the Lehigh defense.

He was complemented by a formidable double-double from center Emmanuel Ogbole. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound native of Benue, Nigeria, was a force on both ends, recording 16 points and 10 rebounds while also contributing 2 assists and a block. His physicality in the post was a key factor in Rutgers’ rebounding edge and interior scoring.

Jamichael Davis provided a steady hand for the Scarlet Knights, playing a team-high 35 minutes and chipping in 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.

For Lehigh, guard Nasir Whitlock shouldered the scoring load, finishing with 21 points in 34 minutes of action. Joshua Ingram, a hometown product from Fords, New Jersey, added 14 points and a team-high 8 rebounds, showcasing his versatility. Hank Alvey provided a solid interior presence for the Mountain Hawks, contributing 12 points, 6 rebounds, and a team-best 4 assists.

Despite the final margin, Lehigh stayed within striking distance for much of the game, largely due to its three-point shooting. The Mountain Hawks hit 9 of 25 from long range, outperforming Rutgers from deep. However, they could not overcome the significant disparity in rebounding and free throw attempts. Rutgers attempted 27 free throws, making 19, while Lehigh went to the line just 16 times, converting 11.

The Scarlet Knights also won the efficiency battle, scoring 84 points on just 72 possessions for an offensive rating of 117.0. Lehigh, by contrast, managed 72 points on 74 possessions, resulting in a lower offensive rating of 97.8.

The game began with Rutgers setting an immediate tone in the paint. After an early exchange of baskets, the Scarlet Knights used their size to create high-percentage shots, building a lead that Lehigh could never fully erase. A late first-half push by the Mountain Hawks, capped by a Caleb Thomas jump shot just before the buzzer, kept the deficit at a manageable seven points.

In the second half, every time Lehigh threatened to cut the lead to a single possession, Rutgers responded with an offensive rebound and a putback or a decisive drive to the basket. The Scarlet Knights’ ability to consistently generate extra possessions ultimately wore down the Mountain Hawks, allowing them to gradually extend their lead and close out the victory.

Rutgers will look to continue its unbeaten start when it hosts American on Tuesday. Lehigh, seeking to get back to .500, returns home to face Saint Francis (PA) on the same night.