PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers women's basketball team (6-6, 0-1 B1G) came up short against No. 16/15 Indiana (8-1, 1-0 B1G), 66-56, on Saturday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena for the team's Blackout and Community Game. The Scarlet Knights fought until the very end, with Kaylene Smikle's 19 points leading the way.
Antonia Bates recorded a season-best 11 points on 3-of-4 (75 percent) from deep. The sophomore impacted both ends of the floor, dishing out three assists and blocking two shots.
Kassondra Brown and Destiny Adams rounded out the double-digit scorers for Rutgers with 11 and 10 points, respectively. The duo also provided eight rebounds apiece to add to the Scarlet Knights' 30 total boards.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. The Scarlet Knights held the Hoosiers to nine first-quarter points, the lowest mark in a quarter for Indiana this season. Five of RU's 10 points in the quarter came courtesy of Kaylene Smikle, helping her squad to a one-point edge after 10 minutes of play.
In the second quarter, IU looked to take a commanding lead in the game, but for every Hoosier basket, the Scarlet Knights had a response. Kassondra Brown led the way in the frame with five points, as RU was down just five heading to the locker room.
The second half was more of the same, with the two teams continuing to battle. The Hoosiers were able to outscore the Scarlet Knights by five (39-24) in the game's final 20 minutes to claim the victory.
How it Happened
- Kaylene Smikle opened the game's scoring with a made layup, but the Hoosiers quickly responded, jumping out to a 7-2 lead three minutes into the contest.
- Smikle used a made three-pointer to put RU within two of Indiana midway through the first. The sophomore then picked off a pass from the Hoosiers, leading to an equalizing layup from Destiny Adams.
- IU held a 9-7 lead heading into the first media break of the day.
- The Scarlet Knights held the Hoosiers scoreless following the timeout. Antonia Bates recorded a make from beyond the arc, giving Rutgers a 10-9 lead at the end of the quarter.
- The teams traded baskets to start the second quarter, as IU led, 17-14, at the 7:28 mark. Thirty seconds later, the Hoosiers looked to double their lead, but Bates denied an IU three-point attempt, energizing the crowd at Jersey Mike's Arena.
- With a 22-16 lead with 3:31 remaining in the half, IU looked to increase their advantage, but Rutgers did not give in. Eight combined points from Kassondra Brown (5) and Bates (3) put RU back within two in the quarter's final minutes.
- An Indiana three-pointer sent the Hoosiers into halftime with a 27-22 lead.
- Rutgers started the third quarter outscoring IU, 8-6, to close its deficit to three. After an Indiana three-point play gave the Hoosier's bench energy, Bates and Smikle teamed up in transition to provide a response. At the 4:40 media timeout, the Hoosier's lead was just six, 38-32.
- IU outscored Rutgers 7-2 out of the break to take its first double-digit lead of the day, 45-34. Smikle responded for RU, recording a layup in traffic, but a Hooiser layup kept their lead at 11.
- Bates used five points in the third quarter's final 90 seconds to put RU within nine heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
- After closing its deficit to six, Rutgers showed off its defense, forcing Indiana into a shot clock violation at the 8:11 mark in the fourth. The Scarlet Knights used it for fuel, as on the Hoosier's following possession, Bates blocked her second shot of the game, leading to a layup in transition from Adams.
- Indiana held a 56-48 lead heading into the final media break of the contest.
- Out of the break, IU stretched its lead back out to 12, forcing a Rutgers timeout. Following the pause, Smikle and Adams combined for a 6-0 run to make the score 62-56, IU, with 48.7 seconds remaining. The stretch forced the Hoosiers into calling a timeout.
- Indiana answered the run with a 4-0 stretch of its own, pushing its lead back out to 10. With 28 seconds to play, the Scarlet Knights took their final timeout of the contest.
- The Hoosiers went on to claim the 66-56 win over the Scarlet Knights.
Gallery: (12-9-2023) Rutgers WBB vs. #16/15 Indiana
Knights Notes
- Bates' 11 points marks a season-high for the sophomore. The outing was her first in double figures this campaign. She also went 3-of-4 (75 percent) from beyond the arc, the best performance of the sophomore's season when she has recorded at least two three-point attempts. Bates also played all 40 minutes of Saturday's contest.
- Bates' two blocks adds to her total of 21 through 12 games, which leads the team and is third in the Big Ten.
- Smikle's scoring performance marks her 35th outing in double figures. The sophomore is second in the Big Ten with 204 total points through 12 games.
- After netting 10 points in the outing, Brown has now recorded back-to-back double-digit scoring performances. The graduate student has three games in double figures this campaign.
- RU held Indiana to nine first-quarter points, the lowest point total in a quarter for the Hoosiers this campaign. IU has scored in double figures in every other quarter they've played this slate.
- Rutgers outscored Indiana in the first quarter, 10-9. RU also held the Hoosiers to no bench points.
- The Scarlet Knights 10-point deficit is the smallest against IU since Dec. 31, 2019.
Volume Up
Next Up
The Scarlet Knights are set to play at --/RV Princeton on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
Rutgers will then return to Jersey Mike's Arena to host No. 15/13 Virginia Tech on Sunday, Dec. 17. Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m. and the contest will be available to watch on FS1.
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.
