NEWARK, N.J. | In a game where the Scarlet Raiders led wire-to-wire, strong defensive play by Rutgers University-Newark and 16 points from Mike Vick lifted the Scarlet Raiders to a 79-53 win over Centenary University this evening at The Golden Dome.

Rutgers University-Newark (3-1) is off to their best start of the season since 2014-15 where they made the New Jersey Athletic Conference semifinals. Vick shot a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor which included a trio of three-point baskets. Jamir Patterson was the second-highest scorer for the Scarlet Raiders with 11 points while David Logan finished with 10.

As a team, the Scarlet Raiders shot 45.5% from the floor and 40.7% from range. They forced 22 turnovers and turned that into 31 points on the offensive end.

Centenary University (1-3) was led by Billy Veras with 17 points followed up by 11 points from Chris Labelle.

BJ Honis put the Scarlet Raiders up 8-2 early on with a corner three, however, Veras of Centenary answered with a three of his own to cut the lead down to three. After Patterson put the Scarlet Raiders up by 9 with 11:23 left in the first half, the Cyclones were able to cut the lead down to four with a Labelle three with 9:10 remaining.

To end the first half, the Scarlet Raiders went on a 13-6 run which was ignited by a David Logan three followed by a layup. Rutgers University-Newark led by 11 at the half, their largest halftime lead of the season, thanks to the outstanding defense.

The Scarlet Raiders came out strong in the second half and quickly pushed their lead out to 17 in the opening three minutes. Vick scored six points in 22 seconds to increase their lead to 20 over the Cyclones.

Chase Barneys and Patterson teamed up on a pair of alley-oops which was followed by a three-pointer by Vick for a seven-point swing. Centenary found themselves in a four-minute cold streak midway through the second half before Veras converted a jumper.

With two minutes left on the clock, Jordan Salisbury converted his attempt from the charity stripe to give the Scarlet Raiders their largest lead of the game at 31. The Cyclones were able to cut the lead down to 26 but unable to create a comeback as the Scarlet Raiders' defense suffocated their offense.

The Scarlet Raiders will return to action on Tuesday, November 26 where they will open NJAC play on the road against Ramapo College.