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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
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