Piscataway, NJ (Sports Network) - Myles Mack scored 23 points and handed out five assists as he helped guide the Rutgers Scarlet Knights to an 88-79 win over the UAB Blazers in a non-conference battle at the RAC.

Mack, who also made five steals and pulled down four rebounds, converted 4- of-5 shots behind the three-point line for the Scarlet Knights (7-2) as they picked up their third win in a row. Eli Carter added 20 points, converting all but one of his 13 free-throw attempts, and added six assists and three steals of his own in order to offset his seven turnovers. Dane Miller contributed 10 points and a game-high seven boards.

The Blazers (5-6) were paced by Jordan Swing who accounted for 23 points and six rebounds, but the forward missed eight of his 10 opportunities out on the perimeter as the team bowed for the third time in the last four outings. Preston Purifoy contributed 20 points off the bench prior to fouling out, while Rod Rucker tacked on 14 points.

Rutgers took the lead right out of the gate and never looked back, shooting a staggering 73.9 percent (17-of-23) from the floor through the first 20 minutes of action. Add to that a 13-of-15 showing at the free-throw line and the Knights found themselves ahead by a score of 50-33 at the break.

In the second half the hosts cooled to just 45.5 percent from the field, but again shot well at the charity stripe (16-of-18) in order to secure the nine- point victory.

The Scarlet Knights, who outscored UAB at the free-throw line by a 29-15 margin, made things interesting by turning the ball over 22 times on the day, leading to 24 points for the Blazers.

GAME NOTES:

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