LAS VEGAS — The Rutgers women's basketball team (3-4, 0-0 B1G) fell to Texas Tech (6-0, 0-0 Big 12), 79-72, after a hard-fought effort on Friday night in the first game of the South Point Classic.
Kaylene Smikle paced the Scarlet Knights with 20 points in addition to six assists, two steals and four rebounds. Destiny Adams (13) and Kassondra Brown (11) also reached double digits. Brown topped the team off the glass as well, bringing in eight rebounds.
The contest featured 11 lead changes and six ties. RU held the lead for the majority of the contest, 25:14, before the Raiders took advantage of a big fourth quarter to secure the victory.
How it Happened
- Smikle hit the first basket of the game, scoring in the opening seconds, before a turnover by Texas Tech, to take an early edge.
- Following a three from the Raiders, the Scarlet Knights went on a 6-0 run to take the 8-3 lead. Texas Tech added two from the line to end the stretch and put the contest within three points just before the six-minute mark.
- At the 4:45 media timeout, RU held the Raiders to 0-of-4 from the field to extend its lead, 10-5.
- Both teams traded trips up and down the floor until Texas Tech put together a 6-2 stretch to put the score within two in the final two minutes, 15-13.
- The Raiders continued to drive, ending the first period with two baskets to take their first lead of the game, 17-15.
- Rutgers came out in the second quarter hot, cashing in on three scores and forcing three turnovers in the opening minutes to regain the 21-17 advantage. Smikle led the way with four of the six points.
- Texas Tech didn't record their first points of the quarter until the 7:07 mark but RU didn't let up, adding two more layups from Antonia Bates and Chyna Cornwell to retain the 25-21 lead.
- In the following minutes, each team added three free throws apiece to keep the four-point gap at the five-minute mark, 28-24.
- The Raiders added a three to cut the difference to one, but the Scarlet Knights responded immediately, scoring six unanswered points to get back to a more comfortable 34-27 lead.
- Out of the stop, RU continued on it's tear with a deep three-pointer from Smikle, but this time Texas Tech had the answer, netting 10 points to lessen the gap back to one point, 38-37.
- In the final minute of the opening half, Rutgers outscored Texas Tech 4-2 to take the 42-39 edge into the locker room. Smikle paced the team in the first half, with 10 points in the second quarter alone and 16 overall.
- Adams opened the third quarter with a bucket but the Raiders follow up with a three-point play to keep it close, 44-42, at the 6:38 media timeout.
- Texas Tech ended a three-plus minute scoring drought with a three to go ahead for its second lead of the game, 45-44 just before the period's halfway point.
- Right before the 4:29 media timeout, Brown cashed in on a layup through traffic to put the Scarlet Knights ahead once again, 46-45.
- Out of the stop, the Raiders added a shot from the line to knot the game, 46-46.
- Although Texas Tech owned the 50-47 edge at the 1:03 mark, RU kept its foot on the gas, netting five points in the final 43 seconds of the period to go into the fourth quarter up, 52-50. Lisa Thompson hit a buzzer beater to end the quarter and give her team a big boost heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
- The Raiders started off the final period with a layup and a three to go ahead, but the Scarlet Knights came right back with seven consecutive points to get back on top 59-55.
- Texas Tech refused to go away quietly however, hitting back-to-back three's in addition to a jumper to get back in front by four, 63-59.
- Thompson broke up the run with a jumper of her own, but the opposition proceeded to hit two shots from the charity stripe to stay up, 65-61 at the 3:40 mark.
- Following an RU timeout, Jillian Huerter hit a big three to cut the difference and kick off a 8-4 run to keep it close, 72-70.
- With 1:30 to play however, Texas Tech outscore Rutgers 10-4 to ultimately come out with the 79-72 win. All but three points in the final 90 seconds came from the free throw line.
Knights Notes
- Smike's performance marks the 16th 20-point game of her career in addition to her 22nd time leading the team in scoring and her 30th outing in double figures.
- The sophomore guard's six assists set a new career high. She had previously dished out five helpers twice throughout her collegiate career.
- Rutgers combined for 19 team assists, its second best total of the season. The team has now reached 10+ helpers four times this season.
- The Scarlet Knights outscored the Raiders 27-22 in the second quarter, tied for the most points they've reached in a period this season.
- RU owned the edge in points in the paint (50-22), points of fast breaks (10-5) and points from the bench (17-14).
Next Up
Rutgers will continue its time in the South Point Classic, ending the tournament against Boise State on Nov. 25 at 9:30 p.m. ET. The contest will be available to stream on FloHoops and you can also listen live on WRSU.
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.
