PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Destiny Adams recorded her second double-double of the Big Ten season as the Rutgers women's basketball team (6-17, 0-10 B1G) fell to Michigan State (16-5, 6-4 B1G), 82-64. The junior scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Scarlet Knights played the Spartans to a close first half, with MSU holding just a seven-point edge heading into the break before pulling away later in the game. Adams and Kassondra Brown led the charge for RU in the first 20 minutes of play, notching 16 and 10 points, respectively.
In addition, Brown recorded three assists and three rebounds in the effort.
Jillian Huerter added to the offense, notching her sixth-career double-figure scoring performance with her 10 points.
Rutgers dished out 19 team assists, tied for its second most in a contest this season. Antonia Bates led the way in the passing game, matching a career-best seven assists.
How it Happened
- The Spartans opened the game with a 10-0 run. Adams was able to break through for the Scarlet Knights with a layup at the 7:02 mark.
- Michigan State responded to Adams' points with a three-pointer, but the junior quickly added another layup for RU.
- Adams' two points sparked a 14-4 RU run over the next four minutes. Brown added eight points during the stretch, as the Scarlet Knights brought their deficit down to just one with 1:33 to play in the first.
- A pair of free throws from Adams gave Rutgers its first advantages of the day, 18-17, with 59 seconds remaining in the opening frame. MSU added a layup to take a 19-18 lead into the second quarter.
- After five-straight points from Michigan State, Brown got the second-quarter scoring going for Rutgers with a layup.
- Huerter added her first points of the contest, sinking a three-pointer at the 7:18 mark. Chyna Cornwell followed up the freshman's three with her first two points of the night.
- The Spartans held a 34-25 lead entering a media break midway through the quarter.
- Out of the break, Cornwell and Adams combined for four free throws to help keep Rutgers' deficit at seven. The Scarlet Knights continued to look to close the gap, but the Spartans continued to find answers as they helped a 40-33 lead with 40 seconds left in the half.
- MSU added a last-second jumper to end the half, as it took a 42-35 advantage into the locker room.
- Michigan State started the third quarter with seven unanswered points. Brown ended the stretch with a layup, but the Scarlet Knights found themselves down 15 at the six-minute mark.
- Following Brown's field goal, the Spartans used another 7-0 stretch to extend their advantage to 19.
- Huerter and Adams combined for nine points in the frame's final five minutes, but RU remained down, 67-46, heading into the fourth quarter.
- Bates added her first points of the night off a pass in transition from Lisa Thompson two minutes into the fourth. Following her assist, Thompson also recorded her first points of the game with a jumper.
- Adams (5) and Thompson (2) added foul shots for RU, but Michigan State continued to hold its 20-point advantage with 2:51 remaining in the game.
- Adams added a layup with a minute to play, but Rutgers went on to fall to MSU, 82-64.
Gallery: (1-30-2024) Rutgers WBB vs. Michigan State
Knights Notes
- Adams ended the night with 28 points. She has now reached 20+ points in five contests this campaign. The junior has also recorded double-digit points in the past eight contests, 10+ points 18 times this season and led the team in scoring on seven occasions.
- Along with her double-figure scoring performance, Adams' 10 rebounds helped the junior record her fifth career and second B1G double-double.
- Brown netted 12 points, signifying the 10th time this season she has reached 10+ points and the 21st in her career.
- Huerter's 10 points marks the sixth double-digit scoring performance of her freshman campaign.
- Bates matched a career-high seven assists to add to her team-leading 62 helpers this season. The junior has recorded five or more assists three times in the team's last five contests.
- RU out-rebounded Michigan State, 33-29. The Scarlet Knights have recorded more boards than their opponent 14 times this slate.
- Rutgers' 19 assists are tied for the team's second-best passing performance this season. The team has also recorded 10+ helpers 16 times this slate.
Volume Up
Next Up
Rutgers will head back on the road, this time to take on Nebraska on Saturday, Feb. 3 (3 p.m.). The contest will be available to stream on B1G+.
The Scarlet Knights will then return home to host Maryland on Tuesday, Feb. 6 (8:30 p.m.) for their Black Excellence Game. The game will be available to watch on Big Ten Network.
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