Prince Powers Rutgers Past Florida, 88-71
Nov 18 | Women's Basketball
MALIBU, Calif. -Rutgers (No. 14 AP/No. 12 ESPN/USA Today) overcame a halftime deficit, rolling to an 88-71 victory over Florida on Saturday evening at Firestone Fieldhouse in the Timeout for HIV/AIDS Tournament hosted by Pepperdine University.
A trio of New York City products led the second-half charge for the Scarlet Knights (1-2). Freshman Epiphanny Prince (Brooklyn, N.Y.) paced the team with 29 points and added eight assists and three steals. Classmate Brittany Ray (Bronx, N.Y.) was equally impressive, registering 20 points on a 6-of-7 effort from 3-point range.
Another Bronx product, Kia Vaughn, contributed her second 'double-double' of the season- adding 17 points and 10 rebounds. In addition, the center tallied five blocks.
The Scarlet Knights used a decisive 12-0 run mid-way through the second stanza to break open what was a close game. Florida closed to five (55-50) at the 14:14 mark but would get no closer. Rutgers ran off 13 straight points capped by a pair of free throws from Ray to push ahead, 68-50.
With the score tied at 25-25 in the first half, Florida erupted on a 15-4 run led by guard Sha Brooks. She scored 13 of the team's 15 during the spurt, including draining four triples. The last with 45 seconds before the halftime horn put the Gators ahead, 40-29. The Scarlet Knights clawed back, scoring eight points - including a pair of treys -in the final 28 seconds to pull to 40-37 at the half.
Rutgers hit 10 3-point field goals, tying the program record for the most three-pointers made in a single game.
GAME NOTES:
-Rutgers tied the career mark for most three-point field goals made (10) set twice before.
*Loss to Saint Joseph's, 78-71 (Feb. 26, 1994) and in a win over Massachusetts, 88-66 (Feb. 28, 1994)
-Freshman Epiphanny Prince was named to the all-tournament team.
-Prince's 29 points are the most by an RU player since Cappie Pondexter drained 40 points in a 66-65 win over South Florida on Jan. 11, 2006.
-Sophomore Kia Vaughn blocked a season-best five shots. She was 27th nationally in the category a year ago.
-Freshman Rashidat Junaid was perfect from the field, connecting on 3-of-3 for six points. She added a pair of blocks and three rebounds to the line.
-The Scarlet Knights shot 58.6 percent from the floor for the game, including a 66.7 percent mark in the deciding second half.
