The sophomore guard and Quinnipiac transfer fired up the crowd and jump-started the Scarlet Knights. Plus: 5 takeaways from the season opener.

PISCATAWAY — You could see it bubbling up all preseason, starting with that first Rutgers basketball practice in late September: Pete Kiss has been itching to show what he can do at this level.

In Friday’s season opener, the sophomore transfer from Quinnipiac put on a show. He got the start at shooting guard and tallied 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting with four assists and no turnovers to spark Rutgers past Fairleigh Dickinson 90-55 before a roaring RAC crowd of 5,521. 

If Kiss possessed any jitters after going 16 months without game action, they didn’t surface. He hit Rutgers’ first shot of the night, a 12-foot pull-up. Then, after the Scarlet Knights struggled to score throughout the first 10 minutes, he banked in a spinning layup in front of the student section — which was packed to the gills. Known to have some moxie in his veins, Kiss squared up and let out a full-throated roar at the students, who ate it up.

So did his teammates. Energized, they ripped the rug out from under FDU. Remember, too: These Knights aren’t patsies. They were picked to finish second in the Northeast Conference and possess a couple of quality players in forward Mike Holloway, Jr. and guard Darnell Edge.

So it was a strong statement for Kiss and Rutgers ahead of Drexel’s visit Sunday, and then the first big test next Friday against St. John’s.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

1. Impressive showing by Myles Johnson (4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals). No one was quite certain what to expect from the redshirt freshman center from California. He delivered in relief of Shaq Doorson. Johnson helped get the first-half rally going with a block and a couple of buckets on polished-looking post moves. And he ran the floor well, making plenty of hustle plays. We’ll be seeing more of him for sure.

2. Johnson wasn’t the only freshman to impress. Ron Harper Jr. seemed like he was in the right positions all night, chalking up 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting with five boards and two blocks.

3. The ball-sharing was superb. Everyone will talk about how well Rutgers shot the ball from deep, and understandably so. The Scarlet Knights haven’t made 12 triples since a 13-triple outburst at George Washington in 2013. They shot 60 percent, an almost inconceivable number for anyone who watched this program over the past few years. But much of that was due to unselfish ball movement creating open looks. They assisted 22 of 34 field goals. 

4. Watch Geo Baker’s mileage. The sophomore manned the point for a full game for the first time as a collegian, and he looked the part (10 points, 7 assists, 2 turnovers plus/minus of 41). But Steve Pikiell had to play him 19 minutes in the first half and 32 on the night. It’s going to be hard to take him off the floor as the competition picks up. His stamina will be tested for sure.  

5. Tough night for Montez Mathis. Maybe it was rookie jitters — Isaiah Whitehead’s first game at Seton Hall was a total bust — but Mathis came off the bench and struggled in all respects (10 points on 3-of-11, 4 turnovers). Give him time, of course, but all eyes are going to be on the four-star guard this winter.

6. Basketball school now? The student showing was nothing short of awesome. They stood, they were loud, they appreciated hardcore stuff like shot-clock violations. Football-weary Rutgers students are dying for success in a high-profile sport, and actually they saw a well-coached team with some hope Friday. They might just be hooked.

Staff writer Jerry Carino: [email protected].