PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers women's basketball team (3-2, 0-0 B1G) used breakout performances from freshmen Lisa Thompson and Jillian Huerter to bring down Saint Francis (Pa.) (0-4, 0-0 NEC), 80-51, on Saturday afternoon. It was a big day for both of the newcomers, as they combined for 31 points and nine makes from beyond the arc to lead the Scarlet Knights to victory.
In the win, Thompson recorded a career-best 16 points and six rebounds. Huerter also recorded a career high in scoring, netting 15 points, shooting 5-for-7 from beyond the arc.
"I am really happy that they had breakout games today," said head coach Coquese Washingotn. "They are getting better at practice and more comfortable. Today was a day that I was hopeful that it would come together for them, and it did."
Chyna Cornwell and Destiny Adams also had strong games for the Scarlet Knights, recording 11 points apiece.
Saint Francis got out to an early 5-2 lead three minutes into the contest, but after five-combined points from Adams and Huerter put Rutgers in front, the Scarlet Knights never looked back. RU held its lead for the remainder of the contest, stretching its advantage out to as many as 30.
All ten active players for RU checked into the game, with eight different recording points in the victory. The Scarlet Knights grabbed 44 rebounds, dished out 18 assists and shot a strong 88.9 percent (16-of-18) from the free throw line.
How it Happened
- Saint Francis jumped out to an early 5-2 lead to start the game, before a layup and a three-pointer from Adams and Huerter put RU in front 7-5 at the 5:56 mark. Chyna Cornwell added a layup to increase the lead to four heading into a 4:49 media timeout.
- Out of the break, points from Lisa Thompson (8), Kassondra Brown (2), Kaylene Smikle (2), Cornwell (2), and Adams (1) stretched the Scarlet Knights' run to 22-0, as the Scarlet Knights took a 24-7 lead into the second quarter.
- Huerter opened the quarter with her second three-pointer of the game to put Rutgers up 20. The Red Flash refused to go away however, following up with a 6-0 run. The Scarlet Knights had the answer though, responded immediately with a 6-0 run of their own.
- SFU closed the first half outscoring RU 9-2, but Rutgers held a 35-22 lead heading into the locker room.
- Cornwell knocked down two free throws to open second-half scoring. Smikle followed up with a make from beyond the arc. The sophomore then turned defense into offense, recording a block which led to an assist on a made layup from Adams, putting Rutgers up, 42-25.
- Following the 5:36 media stop, Huerter and Thompson went back-to-back on threes, extending the Scarlet Knight's advantage to 21. Rutgers and Saint Francis went on to trade baskets for the remainder of the third, with RU holding its 20+ point edge, 62-40.
- At the seven-minute mark in the fourth quarter, Rutgers displayed its passing game, moving the ball around the court and leading to an Antonia Bates assist on a Cornwell layup. Huerter then followed the possession up with another make from three, her fifth of the game.
- Cornwell and Adams added to Rutgers' 8-0 run, as the Scarlet Knights took a 72-45 lead into a 4:44 media timeout.
- Out of the break, Bates hit two consecutive three-pointers, her first of the season. The sophomore's points put Rutgers up 30 with three minutes to play.
- A made layup from Brown closed out the game's scoring, as RU went on to earn a 80-51 win.
Gallery: (11-18-2023) Rutgers WBB vs. Saint Francis
Knights Notes
- Thompson and Huerter recorded career-best scoring performances to lead RU. The freshmen registered for 16 and 15 points, respectively. Of the 37 bench points scored, the two rookies combined for 31.
- Huerter's five three-pointers were the most by a freshman since Kaylene Smikle did it a season ago against South Dakota State on November 20, 2022.
- Petticord grabbed a career-high eight rebounds, eclipsing her previous mark of six set against Monmouth in the season opener.
- RU out-rebounded SFU, 44-33, marking the fifth-straight game the team has edged its opponent off the glass.
- Rutgers shot an impressive 88.9 percent (16-of-18) from the charity stripe, a season-high.
- RU dished out 18 assists as a team, the second most this season behind a 21 helper performance against Wagner in the second game of the season.
- The Scarlet Knights downed 12 makes from beyond the arc, their most in a contest this season.
- Rutgers outscored the opposition in the first (24-7), third (27-18), and fourth (18-11) quarters.
- The Scarlet Knights are now 3-0 all-time against the Red Flash.
- RU is now 1-0 when scoring 80+ points this campaign. 80 points is also the most that has been scored against SFU so far this season.
Volume Up
Next Up
The Scarlet Knights have a quick turnaround, hosting Fairfield on Monday night (Nov. 20) at Jersey Mike's Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and the contest will be streamed on B1G+.
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