PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers women's basketball team (10-14, 4-8 B1G) came out on top over Wisconsin (7-17, 2-10 B1G) in 73-67 battle on Sunday afternoon in front of a packed Jersey Mike's Arena for the program's annual Play4Kay game.
The Scarlet Knights welcomed over 5,000 fans "On The Banks" Sunday afternoon. The team also celebrated fighters and survivors, uniting in the fight against ALL cancers affecting women. They were honored in a special halftime ceremony as well as throughout the contest.
The win marks Rutgers' sixth straight double-digit win season, and first under head coach Coquese Washington.
"This game was really important for us," Washington said. "We spoke before the game about how we have always talked about doing things that are bigger than yourselves. So, today was a perfect opportunity for us to come out and play for something besides just our own personal joy of winning and competing but playing for all the survivors."
The back-and-forth contest included 13 lead changes. Rutgers reclaimed the lead on a free throw from Kaylene Smikle with 2:16 left in the contest. The Scarlet Knights never conceded their lead after that, scoring 12 of the game's last 18 points to secure the win.
Free throws were a big factor in the victory as Rutgers shot 76.7 percent from the charity stripe (23-of-30) in the contest. The Scarlet Knights outscored the Badgers 25-16 in the fourth quarter, with 15 of Rutgers' points in the quarter coming from the line.
In another full-team effort, every Scarlet Knight scored in the win, including four in double figures.
Chyna Cornwell secured her eighth double-double of the season, scoring 16 points on 75.0 percent shooting from the field (6-of-8), and grabbing 11 rebounds.
"She is so consistent," Washington added on Cornwell. "I know what she is going to give us every game. I know she is going to battle on defense, I know she is going to give us close to a double-double, if not a double-double every game. That kind of consistency is remarkable for somebody that hasn't played a ton in her first two years. This year she is a starter in every game, she has been consistent, and she fights.It is just great for her to have this experience and for me to watch her grow."
Awa Sidibe had a career day as well, dishing out eight assists to eclipse her previous career-high of six. The senior also had 15 points, six rebounds, and went 7-of-8 at the foul line.
Kassondra Brown and Kaylene Smikle also found themselves in double digit scoring, netting 14 and 13 points, respectively. The freshman, Smikle, was perfect at the charity stripe going 6-of-6.
How it Happened
- Wisconsin got to the line early to take the 2-0 lead. Carter tied things up with a turnaround jumper before Sidibe and Cornwell added buckets to give Rutgers the 6-2 edge.
- Just before the halfway point, the Badgers came back to even the score, 6-all, with scores on consecutive possessions.
- The opposition followed up with a three-pointer but RU answered, as Brown hit a three-point play of her own to keep things even, 9-9, at the 4:36 media timeout.
- Smikle followed up with her first three of the day to put Rutgers up, 12-9.
- The teams went onto trade buckets until Wisconsin tied it up once again with just over a minute to go, 14-all. Each team added one more basket before the end of the quarter to stay knotted, 16-16.
- The Badgers began the second quarter with four straight points, regaining a 20-16 lead. The Scarlet Knights responded by going on another 6-0 run, including four points from Sidibe, to get back in control.
- After a Wisconsin three-pointer, Sidibe and Smikle each made a layup, forcing a Badger timeout at the 3:49 mark. With two minutes remaining in the half, Wisconsin had a 29-26 advantage.
- The two teams continued to trade points and the lead until UW rallied to go on a 9-0 run and take the 32-26 lead. With two seconds left in the opening half, Carter hit two shots from the stripe to put an end to the stretch and make the score 32-28 going into the locker room.
- A layup from Cornwell put Rutgers within two to start the second half. The teams continued to trade baskets, and with five minutes left in the third the Badgers clung to a slight 41-39 edge.
- A clutch three-pointer from Abby Streeter put the Scarlet Knights back on top by one, igniting the crowd at Jersey Mike's Arena. The Badgers answered quickly with four straight points, but Streeter responded with another three for the Scarlet Knights.
- With 10 seconds left in the third, a layup from Cornwell put the score within three points entering the fourth quarter.
- RU started the fourth by outscoring UW 9-5, reclaiming the lead with 7:18 remaining in the contest.
- Cornwell gave the Scarlet Knights a three-point edge with a made layup. At the 4:11 media timeout, the teams were locked, once again, at 59.
- Out of the break, the Badgers took a 61-59 lead, but a layup from Smikle knotted the game back up. The freshman then made a pair of shots from the charity stripe to give Rutgers a 63-61 advantage.
- Cornwell tacked on two free throws of her own, before the Scarlet Knights forced back-to-back Wisconsin turnovers. At the media timeout with 55.6 seconds to play, RU remained up, 65-61.
- A pair of made free throws from Sidibe extended Rutgers' advantage to six, but a Wisconsin three-pointer cut it back down to three.
- Brown grabbed a defensive rebound off a missed Badger three-pointer to give her team back possession. The senior then made a free throw to put RU ahead by five points, 69-64, with 25.4 seconds remaining.
- The Scarlet Knights forced a turnover with 18.2 seconds left in the contest and forced UW to foul. Sidibe and Smikle both sank a pair of free throws. Wisconsin added a three-pointer to end the game, but Rutgers came out on top, 73-67.
Gallery: (2-5-2023) WBB vs. Wisconsin (Play4Kay)
Knight Notes
- Chyna Cornwell recorded her eighth double-double of the season, and her fourth in conference play. The junior is third in the Big Ten in rebounds, with 208 total boards this season. She leads the conference in offensive rebounds with 80, after securing five against the Badgers.
- With one three-pointer on Sunday, Smikle leads the team with 43 makes from deep. She has hit at least one three-pointer in all but two games this season.
- Smikle's 13 points marks her 20th double digit outing this campaign. She has netted 10+ points in the last 12 games. The freshman paces the team with 17.3 points per game.
- The Scarlet Knights committed just 15 turnovers in the win, their second lowest total in Big Ten play this season. RU forced 21 turnovers from Wisconsin, tied for their season high.
- Sidibe's eight assists marks a new career-high for the senior. It is the seventh game she has earned five or more helpers, and she leads the team with 84 dimes on the season.
- For the 14th game this season, Sidibe has reached double-digit scoring. The senior is second on the team in scoring, averaging 9.7 points.
- Rutgers outscored Wisconsin in the third (20-19) and fourth (25-16) quarters.
- Antonia Bates' block marks the 15th game she has earned at least one denial. The freshman is sixth in the conference with 26 total swats.
- Rutgers' 12 assists marks the 16th contest they have collected double-digit helpers.
- For the second time in the last three games, every Rutgers player has scored.
- The Scarlet Knights held the Badgers to no bench points. All 67 of the opponent's points came for their five starters.
Volume Up
Next Up
Rutgers returns to Jersey Mike's Arena to take on Purdue on Thursday night at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed live on B1G+. The Scarlet Knights will then travel to No. 6/6 Iowa to face the Hawkeyes on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
Follow Along
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