Mike Rosario had 23 points and seven rebounds as Rutgers pulled away from Monmouth (N.J.) 66-52 on Wednesday night in its first game without one of its top players.
Hamady Ndiaye added 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks for Rutgers (6-2), which played without center Gregory Echenique. The Knights' second-leading scorer and leading rebounder is expected to miss approximately a month after undergoing eye surgery Wednesday, and Ndiaye took his place in the starting lineup.
Travis Taylor led Monmouth (2-7) with 20 points.
Trailing 37-34 early in the second half, Rutgers went on a 17-1 run over the next 6:14 to open a 51-38 advantage. Monmouth, which committed 22 turnovers, shot 0-for-8 with five turnovers during the Rutgers run.
Jonathan Mitchell had nine points for Rutgers. Mitchell, Rosario and Ndiaye combined for 18 of the Scarlet Knights' 20 field goals.
