Rutgers University
6-8,0-1Big Ten
Virginia Tech
8-2,0-0ACC
Women's Basketball Downed by No. 16/14 Virginia Tech
Dec 17 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers women's basketball team (6-8, 0-1 B1G) closed its nonconference slate on Sunday evening, falling to No. 16/14 Virginia Tech (8-2, 0-0 ACC), 84-59, at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Kaylene Smikle led scoring for the Scarlet Knights with a 22-point performance. The sophomore also added four rebounds, one block and one steal.
Kassondra Brown also netted double figures, with her season-best 15 points. In addition, Brown added six boards.
Chyna Cornwell led RU off the glass with 11 boards to add to the team's total of 35.
Down low, up top, on the boards… Chyna Cornwell does it all folks 🤩👏#GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/p5pEtokRHu
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 17, 2023
How it Happened
- Antonia Bates started off the scoring for the Scarlet Knights with a three-pointer, as the teams opened the contest trading back-and-forth baskets. Virginia Tech held a 10-9 lead heading into the first media break of the day at the 4:38 mark.
On the board with a 3⃣ from Toni B 😎
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 17, 2023
📺 @FS1
📊 https://t.co/RAMVWC9lcg #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/EzIW1erq1I
- Smikle used a field goal to put RU back in front, 11-10. Cornwell added to the edge with a jumper from the left elbow.
- The quarter's finals 2:30 saw just three total points, all from VT, as the Hokies equalized the contest at 13 heading into the second frame.
- Virginia Tech opened the second quarter on a 8-2 run, forcing a Rutgers timeout at the 7:19 mark.
- After the Hokies tacked on a three out of the break, Brown ended the run with a free throw. VT responded right away with nine-straight points, forcing the Scarlet Knights to take another timeout.
- Rutgers brought its deficit down to 11 with a 6-0 run out of the break. The Hokies did not let up, taking a 38-24 advantage into the locker room.
Let 'em know KB 😤
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 17, 2023
📺 @FS1
📊 https://t.co/RAMVWC9lcg #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/gS30kAdhTF
- Following a VT layup, Cornwell (3) and Smikle (1) recorded the Scarlet Knights' first points of the second half.
- The Scarlet Knights looked to cut into the Hokies' lead with three additional points, but VT used two three-pointers to stay in front, 49-31.
- With four minutes to go in the third, RU started to find some momentum, outsourcing Virginia Tech, 8-3, over a two-minute span. Using their run, the Scarlet Knights were able to close the gap to 13.
Destiny Adams ‼️
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 17, 2023
📺 @FS1
📊 https://t.co/RAMVWC9lcg #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/MwqW4Y3OBN
- The Hokies closed the third quarter with four-straight points, taking a 56-39 lead into the game's final 10 minutes.
- Smikle and Brown both recorded four points apiece to start the fourth, but VT continued to add to their edge. With 5:36 left in the game, the Hokies' held a 22-point advantage, 69-47.
ohKAY!
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 18, 2023
📺 @FS1
📊 https://t.co/RAMVWC9lcg #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/xOEfkVfeTg
- RU continued to fight, outsourcing Virginia Tech, 8-2 over the next 90 seconds, but the Hokies had an answer to everything the Scarlet Knights threw at them, stretching their lead back to 20 with three minutes to play.
- Rutgers went on to fall to Virginia Tech, 84-59.
Knights Notes
- Smikle's performance marks the 19th 20-point game of her career in addition to her 37th outing in double figures.
- Brown's 15 points marked a new season-best.
- After scoring 12 points against La Salle, 10 against Indiana, 14 at Princeton, and 15 against VT, Brown has now recorded 10+ points in four consecutive outings. The graduate student has reached double figures in five outings this campaign.
- With 11 rebounds on Sunday night, Cornwell has secured double-digit boards in six games this slate. She has accomplished the task 18 times during her career and led her team off the glass in 26 games during her career.
- RU recorded more fast break points (17-8) and points in the paint (22-16) than Virginia Tech. The Scarlet Knights also recorded more steals than the Hokies, 5-2.
Next Up
The Scarlet Knights will enjoy a 12-day break, before returning to the court for two-straight games on the road. Rutgers will head to face Northwestern on Saturday, Dec. 30 (3 p.m. ET) and Purdue on Tuesday, Jan. 2 (7 p.m. ET).
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.
