PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's basketball moved to 2-0 on the season with a 64-45 win over South Alabama (1-1) on Friday night at Jersey Mike's Arena. The Scarlet Knights were led by a pair of double-digit scorers in Stephanie Guihon who had a career-high 12 points and Sakima Walker with 10 points in her first career start.
 
"I thought our players played with great spirit tonight," said acting head coach Timothy Eatman. "In the second half, we played with a lot of energy and a lot of effort out there. I think we're getting a little bit better, but I was really proud of their effort and the way they competed tonight. Overall it was a great team win, we're still finding our way and if we learn how to share the basketball a little bit more, we have a chance to be a pretty good basketball team."
 
For the second-straight game, the Rutgers bench outscored its opponent with the Scarlet Knights receiving 48 points from their subs, outpacing 45 total points from South Alabama. Guihon led that bench production, shooting 5-for-6 from the floor and adding four rebounds.
 
Rutgers also got a spark from Victoria Morris and Liz Martino, who each added nine points apiece. Morris went a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor, while Martino connected on three three-pointers. Awa Sidibe led the Scarlet Knights with six rebounds, including four offensive boards and added five points.
 
Four points separated the two teams at halftime with Rutgers taking a 26-22 lead into the locker room. The first half was a back-and-forth affair that featured two ties and three lead changes. The Scarlet Knights returned for the second half and increased the intensity, jumping out to a 13-1 run in the first eight minutes of the third quarter to lead South Alabama by 16 (39-23).
 
Rutgers would continue to pour it on in the fourth quarter, growing its largest lead of 23 points with less than a minute to play. The Jaguars managed just 23 points in the second half as the Scarlets Knights claimed the win.


 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Acting head coach Timothy Eatman added to his win total, earning his second victory of the season with the 61-42 win over South Alabama. It is his 46th career victory after spending four seasons leading Illinois-Chicago.
• For the second-straight game, the Rutgers bench outscored its opponent's total scoring output. The RU subs totaled 48 points to 45 by South Alabama.
• Stephanie Guihon scored a career-high 12 points to lead Rutgers against South Alabama.
• Sakima Walker earned her first career start, scoring 10 points with four rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot.
• In her first season as a Scarlet Knight, Awa Sidibe had a team-high six rebounds.
• Lasha Petree filled the stat sheet for Rutgers with eight points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
• Rutgers improves to 51-8 at Jersey Mike's Arena over the past four-plus seasons.
• Rutgers has won 12 consecutive regular season non-conference contests dating back to the 2019-20 season.