Gavin Griffiths certainly stepped up on Friday night, the Rutgers basketball forward certainly showing his potential in a 69-45 win over Boston University. It was the first home game for Griffiths, the highly-touted freshman.
A former four-star recruit, the freshman flashed and flashed again in showing his range and versatility on the offensive end.
In his first collegiate game on Monday night against Princeton, Griffiths got the start and scored four points (on 2-of-4 shooting) in 18 minutes. On Friday night, Griffiths led all Rutgers players with 25 points while shooting 60 percent in 27 minutes played.
It was a strong performance from Griffiths, who also had four rebounds and a block.
“Gavin is really, really good. It’s not easy in your freshman year, and I love the fact that his first game at Jersey Mike’s Arena was a win,” head coach Steve Pikiell told reporters after the game.
?He had two really great practices and he just got after it. Sometimes how you practice is how you play, and he really played well. Aundre [Hyatt] also had two really great practices and his voice and leadership was really heard. He rebounded and got us off to a really good start. He played really aggressively and he’s a good worker. The first game here was a great success.”
Rutgers returns to action on Sunday against Bryant.
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Griffiths moved to the bench as Antwone Woolfolk moved into the starting lineup to give Rutgers some added size as they struggled to rebound in the season opener against Princeton.
Woolfolk (eight rebounds)( and center Cliff Omoruyi (five rebounds) controlled the paint in the win.
“That is the great part of our team. Everyone has the ability to rebound. We have good athletes and our guards need to stick their nose in there too and take care of the backboards,” Pikiell said.
“It isn’t just Cliff’s job or Wolf’s job. Everyone put bodies on people tonight. Noah dug out some long rebounds. Austin (Williams) got 4 rebounds so everyone chipped in. Gavin got 4 too to go along with his great 25 points. It is a team thing and when we focus on that we get rebounds and we have been the last two days and we need to continue because Bryant can rebound too.”