PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Dylan Grant had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Tariq Francis added 19 points and Rutgers held off American University 80-71 on Tuesday night to begin a season with a 4-0 record for the first time since 2020-21.

Rutgers has won 20 straight home games against nonconference opponents — the second longest in the Big Ten Conference.

Rutgers led 71-58 with 2:11 remaining before American scored the next seven points to get within two possessions. Jamichael Davis made two free throws with 49.8 seconds left for a 73-65 lead before Wyatt Nausadis banked in a 3-pointer for American to cut the deficit to five points.

Grant, Darren Buchanan Jr. and Francis combined to go 5 of 6 at the free-throw line down the stretch to seal it. Grant also made a wide-open dunk after Rutgers brok

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