PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers women's basketball team (6-8, 0-2 B1G) ended their non-conference slate with a 64-56 win over New Orleans (1-7, 0-0 SLC) on Sunday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena.

The Scarlet Knights came out hot, using a 12-0 run to give themselves a 16-3 lead midway through the first quarter. Rutgers never conceded its lead throughout the contest, but New Orleans managed to get within one-point during the second half.

Rutgers used a full-team effort to withstand any New Orleans' threat. The Scarlet Knights continued to share the basketball well, earning 14 team assists. The team also pushed the pace of the game, scoring 25 points off fast breaks. The Privateers' had just seven fast break points.

"We talk with our team about how basketball is a game of runs," Rutgers head coach Coquese Washington said. "You have to be able to weather those runs. I thought against Princeton, we didn't weather the run. Tonight, we did a better job."

Kaylene Smikle led all scorers for the Scarlet Knights in her first collegiate start, scoring 19, as she continues to play a significant role in the offensive attack. The freshman also added a career-high five assists after having just one in the last three games.

"I had to make an adjustment as teams are trapping me when I'm driving to the basket," Smikle said. "I just have to find my teammates. When the second person comes after I blow by my first defender, I find my teammate."

Chyna Cornwell earned her fifth double-double of the season, contributing 15 points and 13 assists. She had recorded three double-doubles in her last four games, and currently leads the Big Ten in the category.

Awa Sidibe also added strong minutes on both sides of the ball in the win. The senior added 15 points and a career-high six assists. She also contributed four steals, the most in a game in her career.

"She came out with a lot of energy from the beginning," Washington added on Sidibe. "She's a very speedy defender, she's really good at being in passing lanes and getting steals. When she does that and gets out in transition, it's usually a good outcome for us."

The Scarlet Knights' defensive effort was key in the win, holding the Privateers to only 56 points, their third-lowest mark allowed this season. Rutgers forced 19 New Orleans turnovers, turning them into 21 points.

Don't let her get this hot. Smikle leads all scorers with 14 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ucfTD6ZOoa

— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 18, 2022

• Rutgers opened the scoring with two layups from Awa Sidibe and Chyna Cornwell. New Orleans earned their first basket on a three-pointer at the 7:15 mark.
• The Scarlet Knights followed up with a 12-0 run, giving them a 16-3 lead with 4:29 to go in the first quarter.
• After a Privateer layup ended the Scarlet Knight's run, Kaylene Smikle responded with a three-pointer, followed by a pair of free throws from Sidibe, giving Rutgers a 21-5 lead. New Orleans ended the quarter with a quick 9-0 run, making the score 21-14 Rutgers entering the second quarter.
• Scoring at the start of the second quarter was tough to come by, as a field goal from Cornwell at the 6:29 mark was the first of the quarter for the Scarlet Knights. The Privateers continued to keep themselves in the game, using a layup to cut Rutgers' lead down to six. Rutgers took an eight-point advantage in a media timeout with 4:47 left in the half.
• With two minutes to go in the half, Erica Lafayette put Rutgers up nine with a three from the corner. After New Orelans responded with a three, Smikle put Rutgers back up double digits with an old-fashioned three point play. Another three from Lafayette at the last second sent Rutgers into the locker room with a 35-23 lead.
• Following a New Orleans three-pointer out of the half, Lafayette earned the first basket of the second half for Rutgers with a field goal. Sidibe followed that up with two straight layups, giving the Scarlet Knights a 41-26 lead. 
• The quarter's scoring was minimal, as the teams exchanged just eight points through the next three and a half minutes. Towards the end of the third quarter, New Orleans used an 8-0 run to get themselves within six points.
• New Orleans continued their run into the fourth quarter, scoring five straight points, making it a one-point game. Sidibe used a layup and three free throws to keep Rutgers on top, 51-48.
• Following a media timeout with 4:41 to play, Kai Carter hit a turnaround jumper, putting Rutgers up 55-48, forcing a New Orleans timeout. With 39.5 seconds left in the game, Rutgers had a four-point lead, 60-56. 
• A pair of free throws from Carter added to the Rutgers lead with 38.4 to play. The Scarlet Knights used another pair of free throws to close out the game, earning a 64-56 victory.

AwaVision👀

We're up 8 on @bigtennetwork.#RUWBB | #GoRU! pic.twitter.com/rBVDUro8kH

— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 18, 2022

• Chyna Cornwell recorded her fifth double-double of the season, which leads the Big Ten. Today's double-double was her third in the last four games.
• Kaylene Smikle hit two three-pointers against the Privateers, continuing her streak of making at least one three-pointer in every game this season.
• Smikle has scored in double figures in 10 games this season.
• Rutgers is now 6-0 when leading at halftime and the third quarter. 
• Rutgers held New Orleans to 31% shooting from the field. The team is now 5-1 when their opponents shoot less than 45% from the field.
• The Scarlet Knight's 14 team assists marked their ninth double-digit assist game this season. 
• Rutgers committed 14 turnovers, their third lowest amount this season.The Scarlet Knights earned more points in the paint (30-18) and off the fastbreak (25-7) than the Privateers.
• Awa Sidibe's four steals marks her career-high, beating her previous mark of three from the November 30 matchup at Boston College. Her six assists matches her career-high from Nov. 16 this season.

Next Up

Rutgers has a 12-day break before heading to University Park, Pa. on December 30 to face Penn State. The Scarlet Knights then return home to take on Maryland on January 2 at Jersey Mike's Arena.

Follow Along

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), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.