NCAA FIRST ROUND: Seton Hall
Mar 18 | Women's Basketball
| NCAA TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND: No. 8 Rutgers vs. No. 9 Seton Hall | |
| Date | Saturday, March 21, 2015 |
| Time | 6:30 p.m.(ET) |
| Location | Gample Pavilion |Storrs, Conn. |
| Tickets | Purchase Tickets |
| TV | ESPN2 Bob Wischusen and LaPhonso Ellis |
| Radio | Rutgers Sports Radio Network (1450 AM) Danny Breslauer Rutgers Student Radio - WRSU (88.7 FM) James Stumper and Chris Morales |
| Game Notes | Rutgers| Seton Hall |
| Statistics | Rutgers| Seton Hall |
| Social Media | @RutgersWBB | Facebook/RutgersWBB  |
NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET | TOURNAMENT CENTRAL| FIRST & SECOND ROUNDS (Storrs) Central
2015 SYNOPSIS
Rutgers enters the NCAA Tournament at 22-9 overall record and played to a 12-6 Big Ten record in its first season in the league. The Scarlet Knights tied for fourth in conference play and were the fifth seed at the Big Ten Tournament, where they reached the quarterfinals, bowing out No. 25 Northwestern, 62-57.
The Scarlet Knights boast a trio of double figure scorers led by 2014 WNIT MVP and Second Team All-Big Ten selection by both the media and coaches, junior forward Kahleah Copper. Copper is averaging 16.3 points per game and has scored in double figures in all but four games this season.
Next on the stat sheet is RU's double-double machine, senior forward Betnijah Laney. A First Team All-Big Ten honoree by both the coaches and media, is averaging 15.9 and 10.9. She has posted 19 double-doubles over the course of the 2014-15 season, ranking her 10th nationally.
Sophomore guard Tyler Scaife enters the dance as RU's third leading scorer and a Honorable Mention All-Big Ten pick by both the media and coaches. She is averaging 14.6 points per contest.
LET'S DANCE
The Rutgers women's basketball team is making its 24th NCAA appearance and first since 2012. It will be the first NCAA Tournament experience for all the members of the squad except seniors Betnijah Laney, Syessence Davis and Christa Evansand redshirt junior Briyona Canty, who were all freshmen in RU's last NCAA appearance in 2012.
POST-SEASON HISTORY
The Scarlet Knights have a long storied history of post-season play - RU has appeared in 173 postseason contests.
Under head coach C. Vivian Stringer, Rutgers has made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, going 27-14 in that span, in addition to a 6-0 mark in WNIT post-season play along with the 2014 WNIT title.
RU has reached the NCAA Final Four in 2000 and 2007 and won the AIAW National Championship in 1982.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS - WNIT
While the Scarlet Knights were left out of the NCAA Tournament despite a 22-9 record and a run to the American Athletic Conference semifinals, RU did accept its first ever WNIT bid. In Rutgers first and only WNIT experience, the Scarlet Knights won six-straight contest, including the final three on the road, to win the 2014 title.
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
With the 56-54 win over UTEP in the WNIT championship game last season, Rutgers closed out the 2013-14 campaign with 28 wins, the most wins since the 2004-05 season when the Scarlet Knights went 28-7 and reached the Elite Eight.
RU downed Seton Hall in double overtime in third round action and also defeated fellow 2015 NCAA participant USF in the semifinals in its tournament run. The Scarlet Knights then played in front of a sold-out 12,222 Haskins Center crowd en-route to a 56-54 victory over UTEP for the championship title.
RUTGERS VS. SETON HALL - LAST TIME:
NCAA Tournament first round action is a rematch of last season's third round WNIT match-up in which the Scarlet Knights defeated Seton Hall, former Big East rival, 91-79 in a double overtime thriller.
Rutgers overcame an eight-point deficit with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. As Seton Hall led, 60-52, Rutgers scored nine unanswered points to set up a dramatic finish to regulation.
Betnijah Laney knocked down two free throws with a minute to go to pull her squad within one, 60-59, and with 11 seconds left in regulation, she hit a jumper in the lane to give the Scarlet Knights the lead. After Laney's bucket gave RU a 61-60 lead, Seton Hall wasted no time in inbounding the ball and racing down court, where Ka-Deidre Simons found a gap to give the Pirates a 62-61 advantage with only five seconds remaining.
Briyona Canty was fouled at mid-court with just .2 seconds left and headed to the line. Missing the first attempt, Canty's second free throw was good and forced overtime with the two schools knotted at 62-62. For Canty, who finished with eight points, it was her only score of regulation.
After Rutgers raced out to a 72-66 edge with 1:54 left in the first overtime, Seton Hall held the Scarlet Knights scoreless for the remainder of the stanza and racked up six unanswered points to send the game into double overtime. A Tabatha Richardson-Smith layup with 15 seconds remaining tied the game up at 72-72, the contest's 11th tie of the night.
The second overtime was all Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights outscored the Pirates, 19-7, for the win. RU denied Seton Hall a field goal until the game's final minute, while the Scarlet Knights were clutch from the free throw line, hitting 13-of-14. Laney went a perfect 6-of-6 while Canty shot 4-of-4 from the stripe during the second OT.
Three Scarlet Knights finished the game with at least 20 points, led by a career-high 29 from Tyler Scaife off the bench and a double-double by Laney. Scaife went 12-of-24 from the field after coming off the RU bench and was a perfect 5-of-5 at the line. Copper, meanwhile, added in 27 points, including a 13-of-15 night from the line.
RU outrebounded the Pirates, 51-44, with Rachel Hollivay (Columbus, Miss.) collecting a game-high 14 boards in the win. The center also swatted away eight Seton Hall shots, one short of her career-high.
Seton Hall was led by Richardson-Smith with 28 points, while Ka-Deidre Simmons chipped in 16 points and Alexis Brown netted 11 in the loss.
SETON HALL SERIES
The Scarlet Knights are 33-8 all-time vs. the Pirates. RU has won 13 of the last 14 meetings.
WELCOME BACK TO THE B1G TIME
Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer is no stranger to the league. Stringer was at the helm of the Iowa Hawkeye program from 1983-95 and holds the record for most Big Ten victories in conference history with 181 wins in league play. She won 169 games while at Iowa and 13 at Rutgers.
ALL-TIME B1G WBB WINS
C. Vivian Stringer, IOWA (1983-95), RU (1995-present) - 182
Rene Portland, PSU (1980-07) - 176>
Karen Langeland, MSU (1976-00) - 156
Lisa Bluder, IOWA (2000-Present) - 152
Jim Foster, OSU (2002-12) - 136
Don Perrelli, NU (1984-99) - 135
Nancy Darsch, OSU (1985-97) - 134
Lin Dunn, PUR (1987-96) - 120
Pam Borton, MINN (2002-14) - 104
Theresa Grentz, ILL (1995-07) - 101
Sharon Versyp, IND/PUR (2005-Present) - 100
ALL-TIME RUTGERS WINNER
Head coach C. Vivian Stringer won her 400th career victory "On The Banks" at Houston on Feb. 11, 2014. Stringer needs four more wins to surpass Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Theresa Grentz as RU's all-time winningest women's basketball coach.
All-Time Rutgers WBB Coaching Records (By Wins) Theresa Grentz - 434-150/ (1977-95) 19 seasons
C. Vivian Stringer - 431-215/(1995-present) 20 seasons
Ellen Johns - 6-5/(1974-75) One season
Dottie McCrea - 5-9/(1975-76) One season
WATCH LIST
Senior Syessence Davis was among the 15 finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Award, recognizing the top point guard in the country.
Sophomore guard Tyler Scaife was added to the Dawn Staley and Naismith Mid-Season Watch Lists. The Dawn Staley award is given to the most outstanding collegiate guard in the country and the Naismith Trophy is given annually by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club to the top collegiate player.
GETTING TO THE POINTS
Rutgers is enjoying its highest scoring average under C. Vivian Stringer's 20-year tenure "On the Banks"
Top RU Scoring Averages Under C. Vivian Stringer
1. 70.0 (35 games) 1998-99 - 29-6 - Elite Eight
2. 68.8 (31 games) 2014-15 - 22-9 - Current Season
3. 68.7 (32 games) 1997-98 - 22-10 - Sweet 16
4. 67.3 (29 games) 2002-03 - 21-8 - 2nd Round
5. 66.2 (37 games) 2013-14 - WNIT CHAMPIONS
6. 65. 6 (31 games) 2000-01 - 23-8 - 2nd Round
Four or more Scarlet Knights have reached double figures in a game in 11 of RU's 31 contests to date.
TOP 25 OPPONENTS
Rutgers currently stands at 3-7 against the top 25 after the 62-57 setback to No. 25 Northwestern in the Big Ten quarterfinals on March 6.
The Scarlet Knights picked up a 46-43 victory over No. 19/18 Nebraska on Feb. 5 in their last home appearance against a nationally ranked team and a 66-61 win over Minnesota on Jan. 25, a squad ranked at No. 21 in the Associated Press Poll.
RU had back-to-back games against the top 25 with a double overtime, 96-93, loss to No. 6 UNC on Dec. 4 in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and a 64-52 victory at then-No. 25 Arkansas on Dec. 10.
WINS COME QUICK
The 2014-15 version of the Rutgers women's basketball team was one of the fastest groups to reach the 20-win mark.
Fastest to 20 By Date:
1979-80 - Feb. 14
1980-81 - Feb. 14
2005-06 - Feb. 14
2013-14 - Feb. 15
2007-08 - Feb. 16
2014-15 - Feb. 17
BETNIJAH IS BETTER
Senior forward Betnijah Laney sat out the final nonconference contest at Iona on Dec. 20 after suffering a sprained thumb on her left hand in RU's contest with Tennessee on Dec. 14. Laney suffered a bad sprain on the first play of the game.
Entering the game with the Lady Vols, Laney had been averaging 16.0 points and 14.8 rebounds, however after suffering the thumb injury moments into the Tennessee game, Laney went on to end the contest with four points and five rebounds.
In her 20 games back, all in Big Ten play, the senior Scarlet Knight has averaged 16.3 points and 9.9 boards per game. She has scored 20 or more points in five of the 20 games and posted double-doubles in 11 conference contests and the Big Ten Touranment second round game as well.
BETTING DOUBLE
Senior forward Betnijah Laney has 19 double-double performances this season and is tied for 10th nationally in the category.
She opened the season with eight consecutive double figure scoring and rebounding games. Her streak was halted at Temple on Dec. 10 with 20 points and five rebounds.
Laney's 2014-15 Double-Doubles
St. Joseph's - 10 points, 13 rebounds
Northeastern - 14 points, 13 rebounds
at LSU - 10 points, 16 rebounds
at Wagner - 22 points, 11 rebounds
Colgate - 17 points, 18 rebounds
Davidson - 19 points, 12 rebounds
#6 UNC - 24 points, 24 rebounds
at #25 Arkansas - 12 points, 11 rebounds
at Indiana - 20 points, 12 rebounds
at Ohio State - 23 points, 12 rebounds
Michigan - 20 points, 10 rebounds
Wisconsin - 12 points, 11 rebounds
at Purdue - 18 points, 14 rebounds
Penn State - 16 points, 14 rebounds
#18/19 Nebraska - 16 points, 11 rebounds
at Michigan - 17 points, 10 rebounds
at #25 Northwestern - 21 points, 11 rebounds
Indiana - 18 points, 13 rebounds
Indiana (B1G) - 12 points, 15 rebounds
Laney has 34 double-doubles in her career.
The senior forward had an incredible game against #6 UNC on Dec. 4 with a career-tying 24 points and career-high 24 rebounds.
The Clayton, Delaware native captured 15 double-doubles last season, the most double figure scoring and rebounding games since Kia Vaughn, currently with the WNBA's Washington Mystics, had 12 double-doubles during the 2006-07 season.
ALL ABOARD
Betnijah Laney's 24 rebounds vs. #6 UNC on Dec. 4 set a Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) record - men or women. She surpassed the previous record of 21 held by Women's Basketball Hall of Famer and former WNBA All-Star Sue Wicks set back in 1987 against Penn State.
She was two rebounds shy of tying the Rutgers women's basketball single game record. Sandy Tupurins grabbed 26 rebounds against William Paterson on Mar. 1, 1977.
Laney's 24 boards against the Tar Heels is also among the best rebounding performances from around the country this season.
Top RU Rebounding Performances (since 2005) Betnijah Laney - 24 - North Carolina (12/4/14)
Kia Vaughn - 21 - at Cincinnati (1/22/08)
Monique Oliver - 19 - at Miami (12/5/11)
Betnijah Laney - 18 - Colgate (11/28/14)
Monique Oliver - 17 - Georgetown (12/9/10)
Kia Vaughn - 17 - Georgetown (2/7/09)
Top `14-15 Single Game WBB Rebounding Performances
Amanda Zahui B., Minnesota - vs. Iowa - 29
Mimi Mungedi, Nevada - vs. San Jose St. - 29
Amanda Zahui B., Minnesota - vs. Michigan - 27
Vicky McIntyre, Oral Roberts - vs. Austin Peay - 27
Joy Adams, Iona - vs. Monmouth - 26
Sherae Bonner, Western Carolina - vs. Livingstone - 26
Jillian Alleyne, Oregon - vs. UCLA - 25
Kayla Roberts, Norfolk State - vs. Hampton - 25
Brittni Montgomery, UCF - vs. Iona - 24
Betnijah Laney, Rutgers - vs. North Carolina - 24
Joy Adams, Iona - vs. Monmouth - 24
Temi Fagbenle, Harvard - vs. Temple - 24
Brittany Hodges, Furman - vs. Davidson - 24
Sarah Imovbioh, Virginia - vs. Ohio State - 24
Ruvanna Campbell, Chicago - vs. Oakland - 24
Vicky McIntyre, Oral Roberts - vs. Omaha - 24
ALL-TIME RU REBOUNDS
1. Sue Wicks (1984-88) - *1357
2. Kia Vaughn (2005-09) - 1079
3. Regina Howard (1983-87) - 1036
4. Vicky Picott (1987-91) - 1029
5. Sandy Tupurins (1976-80) - 944
6. Betnijah Laney (2011-present) - 896
7. Tanya Hansen (1988-92) - 894
8. Kathy Glutz (1976-80) - 835
9. June Olkowski (1978-82) - 780
10. C'ta Mitchelson (1989-93) - 764
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Syessence Davis was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and becomes the third Scarlet Knight to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors. Current assistant coach Chelsea Newton was the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, while Essence Carson, a current member of the New York Liberty, was the BIG EAST's top defensive player in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
THIEVING KNIGHTS
Syessence Davis had just one point off a free throw in the first meeting with Penn State on Jan. 10, but contributed a school record tying 10 steals along with eight assists and no turnovers. Davis' 10 steals ties the school record along with Denise Kenney, who also had 10 thefts against St. Joseph's on Feb. 16, 1978. Davis also surpassed her previous high of eight captured against Davidson on Nov. 30.
As a team, Rutgers recorded 22 steals against Penn State, one theft shy of the Rutgers single game record. The Scarlet Knights set the record with 23 steals against Temple on Jan. 17, 1987.
Davis is averaging 3.4 steals per game ranking her first in the Big Ten and fourth nationally. Last season, she averaged 2.9 steals, led the American and was ninth nationally in the category.
TOP THIEF
With three steals against No. 25 Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, senior Syessence Davis became RU's all-time steals leader - men or women. She surpassed the record that was held by current assistant coach Tasha Pointer.
ALL-TIME RU STEALS
1. Syessence Davis - 294
2. Tasha Pointer (1997-01) - *292
T-4. Sue Wicks (1984-88) - 287
T-4. Liz Hanson (1992-96) - 287
5. Matee Ajavon (2004-08) - 275
6. Denise Kenney (1976-79) - 263
7. Epiphanny Prince (2006-09) - 260
8. Vicky Picott (1987-91) - 257
9. Regina Howard (1983-87) - 216
T-10. C'ta Mitchelson (1989-93) - 213
T-10. Cappie Pondexter (2002-06) - 213
NO MESSY ESSY
Syessence Davis leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth nationally in assist/turnover ratio. She has dished the ball out a total of 124 times with only 39 miscues through 31 games.
The senior guard handed out the ball eight times with no turnovers in RU's 71-51 victory at Penn State on Jan. 10
Davis has committed two turnovers or less in 24 of her 31 games this season.
ALL-TIME RU ASSISTS
1. Tasha Pointer (1997-01) - *839
2. Janet Malouf (1985-89) - 718
3. Mary Coyle (1978-82) - 640
4. Matee Ajavon (2004--08) - 556
5. Liz Hanson (1992-96) - 474
6. Cappie Pondexter (2002-06) - 470
7. Khadijah Rushdan (2007-12) - 464
8. Kristen Foley (1982-87) - 455
9. Syessence Davis - 397
10. Patty Coyle (1978-82) - 394
ALMOST A TRIPLE-DOUBLE
Syessence Davis nearly missed out on a triple-double as RU closed out the nonconference slate on Dec. 20 at Iona. Davis registered 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the 66-58 victory. It was Davis' first career double-double.
Rutgers' last triple-double was by Khadijah Rushdan in 2011 with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Pittsburgh.
Teammate Rachel Hollivay nearly captured a triple-double last season at Howard ending the 68-38 victory last Nov. 22 with 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks.
Davis became the third Scarlet Knight this season to perform a double-double joining Betnijah Laney and Briyona Canty.
SHINING COPPER
In conference play, Kahleah Copper led the Scarlet Knights at 17.4 points per game.
Copper has scored in double figures in all but four games this season and has had 20+ point performances in three of the last five contests and four of the last seven contests.
In the final five games of the regular season, she averaged 20.8 points per contest.
The Philadelphia product has registered 14 games of shooting 50 percent or better from the floor.
Copper has also been known as the go to Scarlet Knight.
On Jan. 29 in the 76-65 win at Purdue, Copper poured in a game-high 21 points on 8-of-17 shooting (47.1 percent) from the field. After the Boilermakers took a lead at 30-28 with 16:58 to go, Copper rattled off eight straight points to return the lead to Rutgers for good.
On Feb. 1 vs. Penn State, Copper reset her season-high with 25 points, shooting 10-of-19 from the floor (52.6 percent). She scored 17 of her 25 points in the second half. Penn State would tie the contest 48-48 with 8:41 to play, however, Copper added on a free throw to give Rutgers the lead the rest of the way and would score 10 of her game-high 25 points during this final span.
DOUBLE DISHING
Briyona Canty tied her career-high for a second time this season as she dished the ball out 10 times in RU's 63-52 second round Big Ten Tournament win over Indiana.
Canty also had 10 assists in RU's win over Northeastern on Nov. 18, marking the first double digit assist game for a Scarlet Knight since Syessence Davis dished out the ball 10 times against Providence on Jan. 16, 2013.
Canty has registered five or more assists in 14 of her 27 games to date.
In addition to her 10 assists in the opening Big Ten Tournament game with Indiana, she also handed the ball out six times in the quarterfinal against Northwestern to average 8.0 assists during post-season play.
NO SOPHOMORE SLUMP
Tyler Scaife, last year's American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, is averaging 14.6 points per game.
On Jan. 25 against No. 21 Minnesota, Scaife was one-point shy of her career-high by pouring in a season-high 28 points against the Golden Gophers.
She had netted 29 points in RU's double overtime win over Seton Hall in the third round of last season's WNIT.
Scaife has reached double figure scoring in 53 of her 67 career appearances and has led RU in scoring nine times in 2014-15.
Scaife is averaging 15.6 points per game against nationally ranked opponents this season, which also included 25 points in the Scarlet Knights' double overtime contest with No. 6 UNC on Dec. 4.
NO FEAR
Sophomore guard Tyler Scaife certainly doesn't shy away from the competition. Here's her scoring performances against top 10 competition.
Jan. 19 , 2014- vs. #1/1 UConn - 22 points
March 1, 2014-- at #1/1 UConn - 8 points
March 9, 2014 - vs. #1/1 UConn - 12 points
Feb. 23, 2014 -- at #3/3 Louisville -17 points
Jan. 28, 2014 - vs. #5/5 Louisville - 25 points
Dec. 14, 2014 - vs. #6/6 UNC - 25 points
Jan. 15, 2015 - vs. #8/8 Maryland - 8 points
Feb. 10, 2015 - vs. #5/5 Maryland - 10 points
CLEANING THE GLASS
Rutgers has won the battle of the boards in 19 of its 31 games to date.
Betnijah Laney, who led RU in rebounding at 8.5 boards per game last season, has not missed a beat and is hauling in 10.9 rebounds per game in 2014-15.
Laney had 17 double digit rebounding efforts last season and has posted double figure rebounds in 20 of her 30 appearances this season.
Laney's 15 rebounds in the second round Big Ten Tournament victory over Indiana on Thursday were the most since hauling in her RAC record 24 boards in the double overtime contest with UNC on Dec. 4. It was her fourth game with 15 or more rebounds.
In her last three games, she has averaged 11.8 rebounds per contest.
DOWNTOWN
Cynthia Hernandez finished with a season-high 17 points at Wisconsin on Jan. 18, surpassing her previous high of nine captured against Davidson (Nov. 30) and Indiana (Dec. 28). She shot a blistering 5-of-5 from downtown.
Hernandez's five made three-pointers were the most by a Scarlet Knight since Erica Wheeler drained five three-pointers against Connecticut on March 7, 2011. Her five three's tied a Kohl Center record originally set by Lori Bjork of Illinois on Jan. 15, 2006.
As a team, the Scarlet Knights hit a season-high six three-point shots at Iona on Dec. 20, the most since hitting seven shots from downtown against Louisville on Jan. 18, 2013.
RU went 6-of-11 from three-point range against the Gaels with Syessence Davis and Cynthia Hernandez both connecting on a pair from long range.
Hernandez followed up that performance going 3-of-4 from three-point range in RU's 66-51 win at Indiana on Dec. 28, which included her draining back-to-back-to-back shots from beyond the arc.
TURNOVERS
Scarlet Knight opponents are averaging 19.3 miscues per game, which included 38 turnovers by Penn State on Jan. 10.PSU's mishandling of the ball 38 times in the first meeting marked the most turnovers by an opponent since Farmingdale State registered 32 miscues on Feb. 11, 2009.
It was the third time since 2002-03 that an opponent has had 30 or more turnovers in a game. The Lady Lions' 38 turnovers resulted in a season-high 36 points for the Scarlet Knights.
Only Arkansas on Dec. 7, has managed to record single digit turnovers.
RU opponents have had three straight games with 20 or more miscues averaging 22.3 turnovers in games with Purdue, Illinois and Michigan State.
Michigan State on Feb. 22 turned the ball over 24 times resulting in 27 Scarlet Knight points. The 24 turnovers were the most by an RU opponent since Penn State's 38 mishandlings.
15 opponents have committed 20 or more turnovers against the Scarlet Knights.
R TURNOVERS
The Scarlet Knights committed a season-low nine turnovers, which included only one miscue in the first half, on Jan. 18 at Wisconsin. Last time Rutgers had less than 10 turnovers was against Harvard on Mar. 24, 2014 in the WNIT when the Scarlet Knights had only eight miscues.
Rutgers committed only 10 turnovers in the 78-49 win over Purdue on Feb. 14. Conversely, the Boilermakers had 22 miscues resulting in a season-high 30 points off turnovers for the Scarlet Knights.
RU committed 10 first half turnovers at Michigan State on Feb. 22, but cleaned up their ball handling in the second stanza and registered just four turnovers in the second half.
The Scarlet Knights have committed 15 or fewer miscues 17 times this season.
20/20 VISION
Seven times this season, a pair of Scarlet Knights have dropped in 20 or more points in a game.
At No. 25 Northwestern, Betnijah Laney dropped in 21 points and Kahleah Copper added in 20 points.
In other performances, Kahleah Copper captured a season-high 25 points and Tyler Scaife added in 21 points in a 76-65 win over Penn State on Feb. 1, while Betnijah Laney and Scaife both captured 20 points in RU's first Big Ten home victory against Michigan back on Jan. 7. In the prior game, Kahleah Copper posted 22 points and Tyler Scaife added in 20 in RU's setback to No. 20 Iowa on Jan. 4.
RU also had a pair of Scarlet Knights reach the 20-point mark as Betnijah Laney and Copper both netted 20 points each in the 88-55 win at Temple on Dec. 10. In the Dec. 4 match-up with No. 6 UNC, Laney scored a career-tying 24 points and Scaife registered a season-high 25 points. Additionally in the 81-53 win at Wagner on Nov. 25. Laney had 22 points, while Copper contributed 20 points in the victory.
WNIT MVP Kahleah Copper reached the 20+ point milestone 11 times last season, the most since Brittany Ray did so seven times in 2009-10.
This season, Tyler Scaife and Kahleah lead the Scarlet Knights with the most 20+ point games with nine, followed by Betnijah Laney with eight.
A FIRST HALF FACT
The Scarlet Knights have led at the half in 25 of its 31 contests to date and is 24-3 when leading at the intermission.
Ohio State, Iowa and Maryland managed to head into the intermission outscoring the Scarlet Knights. RU trailed 40-27 at the half in its meeting with the Buckeyes on Jan. 1 and were behind 34-30 against the Hawkeyes on Jan. 4.
The Scarlet Knights were down 40-36 at the intermission against No. 8 Maryland in the first meeting as RU overcame an 18-point deficit to head into the locker room only down by four.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
The Scarlet Knights have finished with five in double figures three times this season. Most recently against Wisconsin on Jan. 18, as well as on Nov. 30 vs. Davidson and on Nov. 18 against Northeastern, as Betnijah Laney and Briyona Canty both collected double-doubles.
Betnijah Laney and Briyona Canty are the first Scarlet Knight duo since Rachel Hollivay (26 pts, 13 reb.) and Kahleah Copper (23 pts, 13 reb) against Howard on Nov. 22, 2013 to have two double-doubles in a game.
BLOCK PARTY
Rachel Hollivay captured a season-high six rejections in RU's game with No. 8 Maryland on Jan. 15. She also swatted away five Hawk shots in RU's season opener and then again in the Scarlet Knights' first road game at LSU.
Hollivay has registered 36 games with three or more blocks.
She currently has 216 career blocks, moving into fifth all-time at RU on the New Year's Day contest with Ohio State.
Hollivay ended last year with 127 rejections and is third (men or women) in blocks in a single season. Only Hamady Ndiaye (2009-10) and Roy Hinson (1982-83) on the men's side have blocked more shots in a single season, swatting away 145 and 144, respectively.
ALL-TIME RU BLOCKED SHOTS
1. Sue Wicks (1984-88)- 293
2. Kia Vaughn (2005-09) - 279
3. LaTonya Johnson (1988-92) p- 248
4. Tanya Hansen (1988-92) - 245
5. Rachel Hollivay (2012-present) - 216
6. Monique Oliver (2009-13) - 177
7. Tammy Sutton-Brown (1997-01) - 148
8. Rashidat Junaid (2006-10) - 136
9. Regina Kalucki (1991-95) - 128
10. Chelsey Lee (2008-13) - 109
100 POINTS
The Scarlet Knights managed to do one thing no C. Vivian Stringer led Rutgers team has managed to do in her 20 years "On The Banks" - On Nov. 30 against Davidson , RU scored 100 points in a game.
RU defeated Davidson 100-44 on Nov. 30, marking the Scarlet Knights first 100-point game since a 100-71 victory over West Virginia back on Jan. 4, 1995, the year prior to Coach Stringers arrival on the Banks of the Raritan.
The Scarlet Knights also managed in feat in a not-so-common way as well. JUCO transfer Cynthia Hernandez was fouled as her three-point attempt sailed through the net. She then sunk her free throw attempt for a four-point play and the 100th point of the game.
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-RU-
