Junior forward J.R. Inman (Pomona, N.Y.) posted his second double-digit game against Princeton in as many years, totaling 16 points to lead the Scarlet Knights to a 54-50 comeback win over the Tigers on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the RAC. RU improves to 5-2 and a perfect 5-0 at home with the victory, while Princeton drops to 2-5.

"I thought we were able to execute our game plan better in the second half," said head coach Fred Hill. "There were a lot of freshmen out there and we're playing Princeton. They play a very unique style of basketball in which you need great discipline to be able to defend them. Offensively, I thought J.R. was very efficient. He did a great job of passing the ball and finding guys that were open. He did more than just make shots, he made plays."

Princeton used the three-point shot to build its lead in the first half, with five different players connecting on at least one three-pointer. The Tigers shot 6-of-10 from beyond the arc to head into the locker room with a 30-25 halftime lead.

Inman fueled Rutgers' second-half surge by netting the team's first six points of the half. The run pulled the Scarlet Knights back to a 31-31 tie with 16:26 to go in the game, after trailing Princeton by as many as eight in the first. Inman also grabbed eight rebounds on the day and tied his career-high in steals with three.

Junior Jaron Griffin (Manchester) joined Inman in double figures, netting 13. For the Tigers, guard Lincoln Gunn led the way with 13 points, followed by forward Noah Savage with nine.

Inman was fouled on a dunk and made the following free throw to convert the three-point play with 12:21 remaining, giving Rutgers a 37-36 advantage, their first lead since early in the opening stanza. Sophomore center Hamady Ndiaye (Dakar, Senegal) came up with a big block on defense and drew a charge the next time down to swing the momentum in the Scarlet Knights' favor.

The Scarlet Knights led by their largest margin of five after a jumper by freshman Mike Coburn (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) at the 5:48 mark. But Princeton came charging back, using a three-pointer from Kyle Koncz and a lay-up by Marcus Schroeder to tie the score again at 48 with 3:09 to play.

With 30 seconds remaining and Rutgers up only two, junior guard Anthony Farmer (Millville) forced a Princeton turnover. Freshman Corey Chandler (Newark) was fouled on the next play and missed both free throws, but was able to grab the offensive rebound and was sent back to the stripe where he converted both to extend the lead. Farmer chipped in a pair of late free throws to secure the 54-50 win.

The contest was the 114th meeting between the New Jersey rivals, dating back to 1917. The Tigers and Scarlet Knights have faced off in each of last 11 seasons and in all but one since 1945. Princeton holds a 72-42 edge in the all-time series, but Rutgers has won three in a row and eight of the last nine meetings.

The game also marked the first collegiate action seen by freshman Justin Sofman (West Milford), who logged 13 minutes in his debut and made a threepointer on the first shot of his career.

The Scarlet Knights will hit the floor next against Lafayette on Dec. 5, at the RAC.