PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Kaylene Smikle recorded a career-high 33 points to lead the Rutgers women's basketball team (4-5, 0-0 B1G) over Delaware State (0-6, 0-0 MEAC), 82-48, on Recess Day at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Smikle had an efficient shooting day, going 13-of-20 (65 percent) from the field and 5-of-9 (56 percent) from beyond the arc.
Chyna Cornwell also had a strong outing, recording her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Destiny Adams secured her sixth double-digit scoring performance of the season with 19 points. The transfer also grabbed six boards and landed two blocks.
After being outscored by the Hornets in the first quarter the Scarlet Knights quickly turned things around, recording 25 second-quarter points, their second most in a period this season. The scoring burst helped Rutgers take a 41-27 lead into halftime.
Smikle led the charge in the first half for RU, recording 19 points in the game's first 20 minutes. The sophomore went 8-of-11 (73 percent) from the field and shot 50 percent (3-of-6) from deep in the span.
Rutgers held its lead throughout the remainder of the contest, stretching the advantage to as many as 35 early in the fourth quarter. The Scarlet Knights outscored the Horters, 66-28, in the game's final three frames.
RU dominated the paint in the victory, netting 48 points in the point and grabbing 46 total rebounds. The team also blocked a season-best 12 shots.
The Scarlet Knights dished out 20 assists as well, for their second 20+ assist game of the season. Antonia Bates led the way in the passing game, with six helpers.
How it Happened
- Delaware State scored the game's first four points in the first minute, before the two teams went into a three minute scoring drought. A three-point play from the Hornets broke the stretch at the 6:23, as DSU held a 7-0 lead early in the contest.
- Destiny Adams and Kaylene Smikle were able to break through for Rutgers with her first two points of the game, as the Scarlet Knights trailed, 11-5, midway through the first.
- With three minutes remaining in the quarter, five-straight points from Smikle put RU within three. A layup from Chyna Cornwell added to the run, but DSU responded immediately, pushing its lead back to six.
- A made layup from Smikle put Rutgers down, 20-16, heading into the second quarter.
- Rutgers took its first lead of the day with 6:15 to play in the half, as Cornwell and Smikle combined for a 12-0 run to put the Scarlet Knights up, 28-22.
- The Scarlet Knights continued to push the pace, outscoring the Hornets, 13-2, in the half's final four minutes to take a 41-27 lead into the locker room.
- Five quick points from Lisa Thompson and Adams forced a DSU timeout just 1:20 into the third quarter. Out of the break, Adams added four additional points to extend RU's lead to 23. The Scarlet Knights held a 56-28 edge entering a 4:52 media timeout.
- Out of the timeout, the Hornets found momentum with a 7-0 run to close Rutgers' edge to 19.
- At the halfway point of the third quarter, Rutgers was a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor while Delaware State was 0-for-0. The Scarlet Knights answered with a 8-0 stretch, and took a 64-38 lead into the fourth quarter.
- It was more of the same to start the final frame, as Rutgers opened the fourth with a 9-0 run, increasing its lead to 35, the largest advantage of the game.
- Smikle tacked on a layup for her 30th and 31st points of the game, marking a new career-best for the sophomore. The Scarlet Knights held a 76-45 lead heading into the game's final media break.
- Erica Lafayette scored the game's final two points, as Rutgers went on to down Delaware State, 82-48.
Gallery: (11-29-2023) Rutgers vs. Delaware State
Knights Notes
- Smikle's 33 points marks a new career-high, surpassing her previous mark of 29 set a season ago. The sophomore recorded the first 30-point performance for the Scarlet Knights since Arella Guirantes recorded 30 points in the NCAA Tournament against BYU on March 22, 2021. The sophomore's 33 points also marked the most points recorded at Jersey Mike's Arena since Guirantes recorded 36 points in the building on February 22, 2020 against Ohio State.
- Smike's performance marks her first-ever 30+ point performance in addition to her 32nd outing in double figures. Her 19 first-half points is the most she has scored in a half this campaign. A season ago, the sophomore recorded a 21-point first half in the Scarlet Knights' win over Northwestern in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on March 1, 2023.
- Cornwell recorded her third double-double on the season, recording 12 points on a perfect 100 percent (6-of-6) shooting and grabbing 12 rebounds. The senior center now has 12 career double-doubles.
- Jillian Huerter grabbed a career-best three rebounds.
- Antonia Bates matched her career-best six assists. The sophomore also paced the team with four blocks for the second contest in a row. Bates has now led RU is the stats seven times this slate and 15 times throughout her career.
- Kassondra Brown's four assists tied for her most ever as a Scarlet Knight.
- RU out-rebounded DSU, 46-34, marking the sixth time the Scarlet Knights have edged their opponent off the glass this campaign.
- Rutgers held Delaware State to just seven points in the second quarter, tied for the second-fewest points allowed in a quarter this season. RU also held Saint Francis (Pa.) to seven points in a quarter on Nov. 18.
- The Scarlet Knights recorded a season-best 14 steals and 12 blocks as a team.
- The Scarlet Knights are now 2-0 all time against the Hornets.
Volume Up
Next Up
Rutgers will continue its homestand as the team welcomes Lafayette to Jersey Mike's Arena on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. The contest will be available to stream on B1G+.
From there, the Scarlet Knights will host La Salle on Tuesday, Dec. 5 (7 p.m.) before opening conference play against Indiana on Saturday, Dec. 9 (4 p.m.). Against the Hoosiers, RU will also celebrate Community Day and its Blackout Game. There will also be postgame autographs.
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