PRINCETON, N.J. (Nov. 9, 2021) – One of the building blocks in the growth of the Rutgers University-Camden men's basketball program under third-year Head Coach Stuart Pradia is the chance for his athletes to play in bigger venues against higher-level teams.

The Scarlet Raptors did just that here Tuesday at Jadwin Gymnasium as they faced Division I Princeton University for the second time in three seasons. Princeton took a big early lead and went on to win the season opener for both teams, 94-28.

The Scarlet Raptors  first played at Princeton on Jan. 26, 2019 during Pradia's first season, with the Tigers winning by an 87-41 score. Last season's pandemic-shortened schedule was limited to only nine games, all of them against New Jersey Athletic Conference opponents.

The Tigers opened the game with five straight points by senior guard Ethan Wright before the Scarlet Raptors got on the board on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Jaelin Keels. Princeton ran off the next 11 points to build a 16-3 lead before freshman guard Brandyn Stafford snapped the run with a trey.

By halftime, Princeton held a 52-16 lead, led by 10 points from freshman forward Mason Hooks. Junior guard Ryan Langborg added nine first-half points for the Tigers, who placed nine players in the scoring column over the first 20 minutes.

Princeton shot 20-for-37 (54.1 percent) from the floor in the opening half, while Rutgers-Camden shot 5-for-17 (29.4) and made 17 turnovers.

Stafford led the Scarlet Raptors with five first-half points, while Keels and junior guard Jaymes Savage had three apiece.

Hooks finished with a game-high 12 points as Princeton placed 17 players in the scoring column, shot 38-for-70 (54.3), held a 37-26 advantage off the boards and forced 32 turnovers.

Sophomore guard Gavin Henry led Rutgers-Camden with eight points, shooting 3-for-7 from the floor, including 1-for-3 from three-point range. He added one free throw, one assist and one steal.

Stafford finished with five points. Savage led the team with four rebounds. Sophomore forward Tristan Cornish, junior forward Jordan Carter and freshman guard/forward Keyshawn Peterson added three boards apiece. Keels had a team-high two assists to go along with his three points, while Carter notched the lone Raptor blocked shot.

Rutgers-Camden shot 10-for-38 from the floor (26.3), including 4-for-17 (23.5) from three-point range.

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Thursday when they play Cabrini University at 6 p.m. in their home opener.