Rutgers Women's Basketball hangs tough, falls late at Princeton
Following its worst loss of the season, Rutgers Women’s Basketball faced a road challenge against a Princeton team that had already knocked off a Big Ten opponent in Penn State. It would have been easy to let the in-state rivals take control early — as the Tigers (10-1) have for the three previous matchups between the teams.
The Scarlet Knights (7-4) came out aggressively early on, but ultimately Princeton’s offensive talent was too much to overcome. The Tigers won 81-63, on the back of a dominant fourth quarter to help put the game out of reach.
Princeton put up 29 fourth-quarter points, catching fire with a 10-for-15 shooting clip, including 5-for-8 from the three-point line. That came after an inconsistent offensive performance through the opening three quarters, but they turned up the jets late to move to 2-1 against Big Ten competition.
Fadima Tall surpassed her season high with 28 points on the night, including a 10-for-11 mark from the free-throw line in the first half. Ashley Chea and Olivia Hutcherson each scored 16 points, and Madison St. Rose notched 11.
Nene Ndiaye led the Scarlet Knights with 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting from the floor, also tying for the team lead with four rebounds. Kaylah Ivey got back into her shooting rhythm with 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting, all from the three-point line. Imani Lester was the third Rutgers scorer in double figures, with 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting and two blocks.
The Scarlet Knights stayed close for a while, but Princeton opened up the game in the fourth quarter and pulled away in a game that was closer than the final score indicated.
Pressure on the perimeter
The Scarlet Knights stayed within striking distance in the opening half, thanks to a successful defensive gameplan, sending plenty of help at the Tigers’ dynamic stable of guards and getting into the passing lanes.
Princeton committed nine turnovers in the opening 20 minutes, quite out of character for a team that ranks 51st nationally in offensive turnover rate. They were able to get some downhill drives going from the turnovers and got into the half-court offense quickly.
Even as the Tigers got into their transition game and pulled ahead, as Rutgers was able to knock down shots, the Scarlet Knights forced Princeton into playing in the half-court offense on the perimeter.
Containing the basket
Princeton was able to get ahead quickly and stayed ahead after dominating the glass in the opening half, and gaining an advantage at the basket as a whole.
The Tigers went ahead 18-8 in total rebounds in the first half, including 8-1 on the offensive glass. They were able to mitigate some of the effects of the offensive turnovers by getting so many extra chances, and took full advantage of them.
Princeton finished the game with a 28-22 lead on the boards for the game, including 12-6 on the offensive glass. The Tigers’ versatile lineup was able to get space against a Rutgers team that has been strong rebounding the ball.
Tigers find their shot late
Rutgers managed to keep within arm’s length for much of the game, thanks to the aforementioned defensive effort, as well as a solid shooting night from the perimeter.
Once the fourth quarter came around, though, Princeton came alive shooting the ball and pulled away.
The Tigers opened with a 7-0 run to double a 51-44 lead and set the close-out in motion. Chea scored five points and dished two assists in the quarter, and the run was compounded by six turnovers in the fourth quarter alone by the Scarlet Knights.
Eventually, before Rutgers could blink, the game was out of reach midway through the fourth quarter.
“I think they got some transition opportunities where we had some miscues and didn’t match up,” Washington said following the game. “We had a few turnovers as well. Those were the two big things.”
Zachara Perkins also left the game early on in the frame after being involved in fighting for a rebound early in the quarter. She did not return, and finished the game with a sling on her arm. Washington did not have any updates on her status after the game.
Up next
Rutgers Women’s Basketball gets its longest break of the season, as it will be off for ten days until closing out nonconference play.
The Scarlet Knights will host Lafayette on Saturday, December 20th, at noon ET at Jersey Mike’s Arena. The game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
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