PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Morgan State junior guard Tiwian Kendley poured in 24 of his game-high 28 points in the second half, but the Bears couldn't seem to shake poor shooting as Rutgers pulled away with a 72-58 victory at the RAC Saturday night. 

Morgan State (2-6) was held to 29 percent (20-of-69) shooting, including just 18.5 percent (5-of-27) behind the arc.

Deshawn Freeman posted 22 points and 12 rebounds to help the Scarlet Knights improve to 7-1.Freeman was joined in double figures by center C.J. Gettys, and guards Nigel Johnson and Mike Williams. Gettys was a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor to register a career-high 15 points with seven rebounds and four blocks. Johnson added 12 points, while Williams contributed 10 and six boards.

The national leaders in offensive rebounding (17.9), RU grabbed 18 on the offensive end to produce 50 total.

The Bears enjoyed the lead for most of the first half, before going cold. Antonio Gillespie buried a 3-pointer to give the Bears a 19-12 lead, but Rutgers answered with a 13-0 run and Jonathan Laurent's basket at the 4:27 mark gave the Scarlet Knights a 25-19 lead. A layup by Kendley just before the halftime buzzer kept the Bears within striking distance as they trailed 31-25 at the break. 

Morgan State out-rebounded Rutgers 23-22 in the opening 20 minutes.

Gettys scored RU's initial six points after the break as RU began to impose its will on the glass and extend its lead into double digits. The Scarlet Knights built their advantage to 15 points on two occasions, but the Bears would not relent. MSU twice reduced its deficit to seven, but would get no closer. The Scarlet Knights closed by scoring 11 of the contest's final 16 points to capture the 14-point win.

Rutgers established a 29-9 advantage in bench points and out-scored the visitors 42-24 in the paint.

Phillip Carr, the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, recorded his second double-double of the season. He finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds along with three blocked shots. 

MSU head coach Todd Bozeman spoke about the difference in the ballgame down the stretch.

"They kept hitting the glass. They kept hitting the glass and rebounding, so they got their second-chance shots. They got 39 points off of second-chance shots and rebounds, so that's pretty much the deal there. They didn't score much against us in the half court. Those second-chance shots, those were huge. Those tap ins by the big guys, the balls bouncing out and their guards running them down, those were huge."

The Bears return to action on Tuesday to host the Manhattan Jaspers in a 7 p.m. tip-off at the Hill Field House.