PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Coppin State's men's basketball team closed out the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 90-57 loss at Rutgers on Friday night at Jersey Mike's Arena. The Eagles, who matched a program-record for non-conference Division I victories, now stand at 5-12 overall while the Scarlet Knights improve to 9-4.
Inside the Numbers
- Sam Sessoms and Mike Hood were the lone CSU players in double figures, scoring 12 points and 11 points, respectively.
- Greg Spurlock had an all-around game with seven points while leading the Eagles with a career-high nine rebounds and three assists.
- Alex Rojas and Justin Steers added six points apiece while Kam'Ron Blue finished with five points. Four other Eagles added points on the night.
- Rutgers put four players in double figures and outshot Coppin, 45.3% to 33.9% and outrebounded the Eagles, 53-27. The hosts had 30 assists on 34 made field goals.
How it Happened
- Coppin stayed in the game early with free throws from Rojas and a layup from Sessoms before Rutgers hit back-to-back threes to make it a 12-4 score.
- Blue answered right back with a jumper, but Rutgers went on a 12-0 run and continued to build its lead.
- Rojas and Hood both hit threes in the closing minutes of the first as the Scarlet Knights went to the locker room with a 51-27 lead.
- Steers hit a pair of free throws to open the second, which was matched by RU and Spurlock scored the next five points followed by back-to-back layups from Sessoms and Steers.
- After Coppin closed the deficit to 54-38 with 16:20 to play, Rutgers began to pull away with a 28-10 run over the next ten minutes.
Up Next: Coppin opens MEAC play on Saturday, January 7 when it hosts South Carolina State in the backend of a doubleheader with the women's team. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game.
