ARLINGTON, VA – Senior forward Phil Barnes hit seven of eight shots from the floor as Rutgers-Newark scorched Hiram College, 85-59, in the opening game of the Marymount Holiday Classic in the Verizon Sports Arena. 

Rutgers-Newark 85, Hiram College 59

The Scarlet Raiders (8-3), who shot over 50% from the field for the fifth straight game, advance to Sunday's championship game against Goucher (2-7), a 59-58 upset winner over host Marymount (5-6) in the nightcap.

Barnes finished with 14 points and seven rebounds in just 15 minutes of play while senior forward Deshawn Singleton bulled inside for a game-high 18 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Singleton made seven of 11 shots from the floor as Rutgers-Newark shot 56.7% for the game. The Raiders topped 80 points for the fourth consecutive time to push their winning streak to four. 

Senior forward Ryan Gillens notched nine points, five rebounds and a blocked shot. 

Senior guard James Johnson drained three of five 3-point shots on his way to 16 points, six rebounds and a game-high four assists. Senior point guard Tim Smith hit both of his shots from beyond the arc while totaling eight points and three assists. Rutgers-Newark made half of its 16 3-point attempts, showing no ill effects from an 18-day fall final examination break. 

The Raiders dominated the rebounding, 45-27, while holding Hiram to 38.6% field goal accuracy. 

Barnes connected on five of six shots from the field for 10 points as Rutgers-Newark took a 40-28 lead to the lockerroom at halftime. Barnes had six points, hitting three of four from the floor, as the Raiders hit seven of their first nine shots on their way to an 18-7 lead. Freshman guard Greg Moore, Johnson and Smith knocked down treys during the run which was capped by a Moore 3-pointer. But the Terriers answered with a 7-0 run to keep the game within reach. 

Johnson and Smith nailed treys during a 14-7 spurt to start the second half as Rutgers-Newark took control of the game. An inside basket by Gillens pushed the Raider lead to 54-32 with 16:11 remaining. The Terriers (5-5) never got closer than 19 points before the torrid Raiders broke open the contest. 

Junior swingman Babajide Eniola paced Hiram with 14 points and five rebounds, but he was the only Terrier to reach double digits in scoring. Junior forward Hassam Muhammad came off the bench to connect on all three of his field goal tries for nine points while sophomore guard Jamaal Watkins chipped in a team-high six rebounds to go along with seven points.