PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 12, 2020) – Rutgers women's basketball (14-2, 4-1) defeated Nebraska (13-3, 3-2) on Sunday afternoon, 69-65, at the RAC for its third straight Big Ten win, moving into a tie for first place in the conference.
The Scarlet Knights committed a season-low six turnovers, its lowest in a game in four years, while surviving Nebraska's 12 three-point field goals, a 41-35 deficit in rebounding, and Rutgers' uncharacteristic 9-of-22 mark from the line. Rutgers led by as much as 15 midway through the fourth quarter over the Huskers, who are receiving votes in this week's AP Top 25 Poll alongside the Scarlet Knights.
In each game of the current three-game Big Ten winning streak, four Scarlet Knights have scored in double-figures.
- Khadaizha Sanders led all scorers with 17 points, tying her career high, to go with her six assists compared to just one turnover. She was 2-of-2 from three-point range and grabbed two rebounds.
- Arella Guirantes netted 16 with six rebounds and five assists.
- Tekia Mack missed her fourth double-double by one rebound, finishing with 15 points and nine boards with three assists. She was a menace on defense with three blocks and three steals.
- Jordan Wallace added 10 points and six rebounds.
With seven seconds waning in the second quarter, Nebraska was rushing the ball up court to take the final shot. However, Mack intercepted a pass and finished a fast break at the halftime buzzer for a 35-32 lead, sending the RAC into a frenzy and creating the momentum that allowed Rutgers to win the third quarter, 18-10, and cement a double-digit advantage to seal the victory.
- Nebraska opened the game on an 8-0 run before Guirantes' pullup jumper. Rutgers responded with an 11-0 answer and a 12-2 run over four minutes to take a 14-13 lead behind Guirantes' six points and an assist.
- Rutgers worked Nebraska into a three-minute scoring drought as Sanders nailed a three to cut RU's deficit to 26-23 midway through the second period. RU closed the quarter making 5-of-6 from the field while holding Nebraska to another two-minute drought. It resulted in an 8-0 run heading into the break and a 35-32 advantage.
- RU used a high-energy 7-0 run midway through the third led by Mael Gilles. She nailed a three-pointer on one possession, then grabbed an offensive board and an assist on Wallace's bucket on the next. Wallace netted another for the nine-point lead at 49-40 with three minutes left in the third.
- Nebraska got back in it with a 11-0 run on top of Rutgers' 3:30 scoreless streak. Sanders put an end to that with a triple and shortly after hit two free throws as the Huskers resorted to fouling. Nebraska connected on just one field goal over the final four minutes of the game.
- Rutgers improves to 5-3 against Nebraska in the all-time series since 2015.
- Rutgers committed just six turnovers, the first time it stayed under 10 in a game since committing nine in a win over FDU on Dec. 20, 2017 and its lowest overall since their four turnovers at home against Wisconsin on Jan. 7, 2016.
- Rutgers is now 12-0 when three or more players score in double-figures.
- RU is now 14-1 when scoring more points in the paint (36-20) and scoring more points off turnovers (21-11).
- Ranking fifth in the nation in field goal percentage defense, RU held Nebraska to a .397 mark from the floor, under its season average of .447.
- Guirantes is 31 points away from joining the 1,000 Point Club as a junior.
- Rutgers held the Huskers' Kate Cain to zero points and seven rebounds. She had been averaging 12.8 points and 12.0 rebounds through four Big Ten games.
- RU held Husker scoring leader Leigha Brown to nine points on 2-of-5 shooting.
- Holding the Huskers eight points under their 73.4 scoring average, the Scarlet Knights have held 15-of-16 opponents this season under their offensive averages and in 45 of its last 48 contests dating back to last season.
- Rutgers' home record this season moves to 8-1 and 34-6 over the last three seasons.
- Rutgers rolled out the starting five of Guirantes, Mack, Sanders, Gilles and Wallace for the 15th time in 16 games. Rutgers returned just 29 percent of its games started experience from last season.
The Scarlet Knights return to the rugged road of the Big Ten at Penn State on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersWBB) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (
www.facebook.com/RutgersWBB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (
www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the
Gameday App.
- RU -
