Somebody had to win; it wasn't DePaul, however

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers avoided its worst start in Big East Conference play thanks in part to a little disciplinary problem.

Jaron Griffin and Earl Pettis took advantage of unexpected starts because Corey Chandler and Hamady Ndiaye were late for team functions. And the two starters helped Rutgers get its first conference win of the season with a 75-56 victory over DePaul on Saturday night.

Griffin scored season-high 16 points in his first start of the season and Pettis, who didn't even play in the Scarlet Knights' last game, added a season-high 12 points as the Rutgers (10-12, 1-8 Big East) snapped a nine-game losing streak and extended the Blue Demons' losing streak to nine games, all in conference games.

"Coach could have started anybody," said Griffin, who has seen limited action after starting every game last season. "He had the confidence in me and I felt pretty good. I took what they gave me and made shots."

Griffin, who had tallied 32 points all season, was diplomatic when asked if he felt he deserved to stay in the lineup.

"I think by me going out and doing what I did tonight, maybe I might earn more playing time, whether it's starting or coming off the bench."

Griffin had an idea he might be starting during a shootaround earlier in the day, but he wasn't sure until game time. Pettis also didn't find out until game time.

"As a basketball player you always have to be ready to go when your name gets called," said Pettis, who added a season-high six rebounds. "Me not playing, that was motivation to put pressure on coach to get me more playing time."

The comment drew laughs from coach Fred Hill, but not a promise of more playing time. He said he would evaluate things on a daily basis.

Hills said one player was late for the shootaround and the other was a couple of minutes late getting to the game. He would not specify who did what.

Mike Rosario added 16 points for the Scarlet Knights, who broke the game open in the second half with an 18-4 spurt,

Will Walker had a career-high 23 points to lead DePaul (8-14, 0-9). The 0-9 start in conference play is the Blue Demons' worst since going 0-12 to open the 1995-96 season in Conference USA.

"You have to make things happen, you can't wish they are going to happen," DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright said. "God bless our kids. We've done a good job at the free throw line and our turnovers have been low. We just can't score now. If you look at our shots they are makable. We just have to finish plays stronger."

The Scarlet Knights never trailed in the game. Pettis, who had not started since Rutgers' last win against New Jersey Tech on Dec. 23, hit an early layup and Griffin, who started every game last season, followed with a 3-pointer.

Rutgers built an early 10-point lead, only to see DePaul cut the margin to 33-28 at the half behind 12 points by Walker.

But the Scarlet Knights took command with an 18-4 spurt to start the second half.

Rosario started the run with a 3-pointer and ended it with a layup with 12:30 to give Rutgers a 51-32 lead. In between, Griffin hit a jumper and a 3-pointer, Greg Echenique hit three free throws and Anthony Farmer converted a three-point play. Pettis also had a spinning shot in the lane.

Griffin, who had scored 32 points all season, hit 6 of 9 from the field, including four 3-pointers.

"Jaron certainly had a great game," Wainwright said. "That's a big time 16 points because obviously to have four 3s from a frontcourt player (is a plus). He had no hesitation in his shots and he played with a lot of confidence."

Dar Tucker added 14 points for DePaul, while Mac Koshwal had five, nine less than his average.