PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers women's basketball team (2-1, 0-0 B1G) fell to Auburn (3-0, 0-0 SEC), 76-56, on Sunday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena. Chyna Cornwell secured her second double-double in three games during the contest, recording 11 points and a season-high 13 rebounds.
Kaylene Smikle recorded a team-high 19 points, while also earning a season-high four steals.
Freshman Jillian Huerter had a strong showing, recording a career-best 11 points, going 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.
The Scarlet Knights got out to a fast start, opening the contest with a 13-2 run, led by five points from Cornwell. Rutgers held a 17-11 lead at the end of the first.
Down 38-22 at half time, Rutgers used a strong third quarter to get themselves back into the game, closing Auburn's lead to as few as eight points. RU outscored the Tigers 21-17, in the frame, paced by Smikle's nine points.
Rutgers was down 55-43 heading into the fourth, with the Tigers ultimately claiming the victory.
RU also celebrated the life and legacy of Nikki McCray-Penson during Sunday's outing, wearing special warmup shirts and patches on their jerseys. The team also honored her with photos and videos throught the contest.
How it Happened
- The Scarlet Knights jumped out to an early 13-2 lead over the Tigers midway through the first quarter off of points from Cornwell (5), Smikle (4), Destiny Adams (2), and Lisa Thompson (2).
- Following a 4:51 media timeout, Auburn added a layup, but RU responded with two-straight field goals from Smikle and Mya Petticord to extend its advantage, 17-4.
- The Tigers ended the quarter with a 7-0 run, but the Scarlet Knights held a solid 17-11 advantage heading into the second quarter.
- After an Adams' layup to open the second frame, the Tigers used an 8-0 run to equalize the contest at 19.
- The Tigers closed the second quarter with another big 27-3 stretch to take a 38-22 edge into halftime.
- Cornwell recorded the first points with two makes at the charity stripe to open second-half scoring for RU, but Auburn continued to extend its edge, leading 45-24 at the 6:40 mark.
- Smikle and Huerter added makes from beyond the arc to put Rutgers within 16 heading into a 4:53 media timeout. Out of the break, Cornwell and Huerter added layups to continue cutting away at AU's lead.
- Following a 3:21 media timeout, Smikle hit a three-pointer to put Rutgers within nine and energize the crowd at Jersey Mike's Arena. Following an Auburn free throw, Cornwell followed the Smikle three-pointer with a layup, keeping RU within single digits.
- The Tigers tacked on a field goal at the end of the third, taking a 55-43 lead into the game's final 10 minutes.
- The Tigers opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with four-straight points, but Petticord quickly responded with four points of her own. The Tigers then used a 10-3 run to extend their lead to 19 with 3:47 to play.
- Auburn ultimately came away with the win, 76-56.
Gallery: (11-12-2023) Rutgers WBB vs. Auburn
Knights Notes
- Cornwell recorded her second double-double on the season, recording 11 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. The senior center now has 11 career double-doubles.
- Huerter's 11 points and trio of three's marks a season-best in the freshman's young career. She also added two rebounds and one assist.
- Smikle had another strong showing, securing a team-high 19 points and a season-high three steals.
- The Scarlet Knights had seven makes from beyond the arc, their most in a contest this season.
- RU recorded six more boards than Auburn (40-34), marking the team's third-straight game out rebounding its opponent.
- Rutgers recorded more second-chance (15-13) and bench points (14-11) than the opposition.
- RU outscored the Tigers in the first (17-11) and third quarters (21-17).
Volume Up
Next Up
The Scarlet Knights are set to hit the road for the first time this campaign, heading to South Orange, N.J. for a Wednesday night contest against Seton Hall. The game is set to tip at 7 p.m. and will be available to stream on FloHoops.
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