PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers women's basketball team (6-14, 0-7 B1G) was set back by Illinois (8-8, 2-4 B1G), 96-68, on Wednesday night on the road.
Destiny Adams had another strong performance, scoring a game-high 26 points in addition to six rebounds and a block. Mya Petticord also reached double digit scoring with 16 points in addition to six assists, five rebounds and one steal.
Chyna Cornwell matched Adams off the glass with a team-best six boards. She also secured her 500th career rebound in the final half of the fourth quarter.
How it Happened
- Illinois got out to a quick 6-0 lead with scores on its first three possessions to force a Rutgers' timeout at the 8:09 mark.
- Out of the break, the Fighting Illini continued to build on their lead with two more baskets, stretching their advantage to double digits. Jillian Huerter ended the drought for Rutgers with a layup off a pass from Mya Petticord.
- At the quarter's halfway point, Illinois continued to widen the gap, 17-2. However it was Huerter again who got on the board for the Scarlet Knights, this time hitting a corner three.
- The Illini went onto end the first period with a 23-5 edge.
- Petticord got things going for RU to start the second with another three-pointer at the top of the key. Cornwell followed up with a bucket of her own on the next possession to lessen the gap, 25-10.
- In the following two minutes, Rutgers outscored Illinois 10-7 to make the score 32-20 at the 5:50 media timeout. During the run, Petticord and Erica Lafayettte hit back-to-back three's to give their team a spark.
- The teams continued on to trade trips up and down the floor, as Adams hit a big three-point play before recording a jumper down the stretch to put the score back within single digits, 41-34.
- The Fighting Illini netted consecutive buckets to go end the first half and go into the locker room up, 45-34.
- Illinois got off to a strong start in the third, outscoring Rutgers 10-4 in the opening minutes, forcing another RU timeout. Out of the break Adams went to work once again with a layup, scoring all six points of the first points for the Scarlet Knights.
- Petticord added a basket before the 4:21 media timeout as the Illini stayed on top, 60-42.
- Following the stop, Rutgers bested Illinois on offense, 7-3, to continue to close the gap. The Scarlet Knights kept their foot on the gas, once again outscoring the Fighting Illini, 8-2, in the final 1:17 of the period. Adams netted seven of the eight points in the run.
- The opposition remained in control to end the third though, 67-54.
- To begin the final quarter, Illinois netted 14 unanswered points to extend its lead. Adams and Petticord ended the stretch with back-to-back layups.
- In the final moments of the fourth quarter, the teams traded scores as Lafayettee hit her second three-pointer of the game and Adams added another seven points. Illinois ultimatly came out with the victory however, 96-68.
Knights Notes
- Chyna surpassed the 500-rebound milestone with six rebounds on Wednesday night. She now sits with 502 total boards through her four-year career.
- Adams ended the night with 26 points. She has now reached 20+ points in three of her last five games. The junior has also recorded double-digit points in the past five contests, 10+ points 15 times this season and led the team in scoring on six occasions.
- Since returning to the court after a brief hiatus, Petticord has not scored less than 10 points. She has reached double figure scoring in six consecutive games and seven this season. Against Illinois, the sophomore netted 16 points, just one shy of her career high of 17, which she set in the season opener against Monmouth (Nov. 6).
- Petticord also tied her career-best in assists, with six helpers against the Fighting Illini. She previously set the standard against Wagner (Nov. 9).
- With 10 assists on Wednesday, Rutgers has now reached double figure dimes in four of its last six outings. Bates paces the squad in helpers with 49 on the season.
- Petticord (2-for-2) and Kassondra Brown (4-for-4) were perfect at the free throw line. Petticord has now been 100 percent from the charity stripe in three of her last four contests.
- The Scarlet Knights won the second quarter, 29-22.
- RU scored more fast break points than the Illini, 9-2.
Next Up
Rutgers will return to Jersey Mike's Arena to host Michigan on Sunday, Jan. 21 (2 p.m.) for the program's 50 Seasons Celebration Game. The program will also celebrate it's inaugural "Knights of Honor" class pregame, paying homage to the historic 1982, 2000 and 2007 teams.
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