Recap: Rutgers vs. Saint Peters

Piscataway, NJ (Sports Network) - Desi Washington scored a game-high 18 points as the Saint Peter's Peacocks surprised the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 56-52, in season-opening play at the Rutgers Athletic Center.

Also scoring in double figures for the Peacocks (1-0) were Markese Tucker and Darius Conley with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Blaise Ffrench finished with just four points but managed to hand out a game-high nine assists.

The Scarlet Knights (0-1) were paced by Wally Judge who registered a double- double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, his effort on the glass matched by Dane Miller who added nine points and four assists of his own. Austin Johnson chipped in 10 points in 18 minutes off the bench.

Saint Peters led by five points early in the first half, but the squad ended up shooting just 9-of-25 from the floor and 2-of-10 beyond the arc over the first 20 minutes of action which allowed Rutgers to come back and tie the contest at the break, 22-22.

In the second half Saint Peter's connected on a much more impressive 56.5 percent from the floor as they captured the stunning victory.

The Scarlet Knights, who won the battle of the board 43-22, hurt themselves with 18 turnovers on the night.

The Peacocks, who trailed in the all-time series with Rutgers by a count of 11-2, struggled mightily last season as they won a total of just five games in 31 opportunities. The last victory for the Peacocks over Rutgers was a 65-58 decision at home five years ago.