PISCATAWAY, N.J. — A historic performance from Destiny Adams pushed Rutgers women's basketball (2-0) past NJIT (1-2), 94-84, Sunday afternoon at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Adams recorded a 36-point, 22-rebound double-double, the highest in the Big Ten era for the Scarlet Knights and the 10th of her career. Kiyomi McMiller also broke through with 25 points against the Highlanders.
Chyna Cornwell helped Adams on the boards, bringing in 15 rebounds, her third consecutive contest with 10+ off the glass.
It was another close one through the first half for RU, featuring six lead changes and five ties. However, Rutgers came alive once again in the second half, outscoring the Highlanders by 19 in the third quarter to solidify the win.
How it Happened
- Destiny Adams got Rutgers out to a quick 3-0 start with a layup and free throw on the team's first two possessions.
- NJIT responded with five consecutive points to go ahead by two, 5-3, with just under eight minutes to play. Adams tied it up on the next trip down the floor, with an offensive rebound and put back.
- Despite a three-pointer from the Highlanders, Adams added four points to put RU back in front, 9-8. Adams scored all nine of Rutgers' points.
- NJIT went on an 8-2 run, hitting back-to-back threes to take a 16-11 lead and force a Scarlet Knights' timeout with 4:11 to play.
- Out of the break, Mya Petticord and Chyna Cornwell combined for three points to put the contest back within two, 16-14.
- NJIT added another three, but Lisa Thompson netted consecutive buckets in addition to a last second layup from Adams to put RU up, 20-19, going into the second 10 minutes.
- Corwell kicked things off in the second with two shots at the line, but the Highlanders hit yet another shot from beyond the arc to tie it up, 22-22.
- The Scarlet Knights went on an 8-2 run, thanks to back-to-back three-point plays from Adams and Petticord, to take their biggest lead of the contest so far, 30-24.
- Both teams contributed a long ball before the 7:06 media timeout to keep the difference at six points.
- Kiyomi McMiller added her first points of the contest with a reverse layup after a steal and pass from JoJo Lacey.
- NJIT added three consecutive buckets to knot the score once again, 35-all, with just under five minutes to play in the opening half.
- McMiller went on a 4-0 run of her own to put Rutgers back in control, 39-35.
- Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, but the Highlanders added three points with under a minute to play to tie the score once again, 44-44.
- However, McMiller hit a buzzer beater to give the Scarlet Knights the three-point lead going into the locker room, 47-44.
- Zachara Perkins and Adams recorded two points apiece to keep the edge, 51-44, to begin the second half. NJIT answered with five points in a row to make it a one possession contest, 51-49.
- Adams and McMiller found the rim before the 4:47 media timeout to stay up, 54-49.
- The teams continued to go back and forth, until Adams busted through, outscoring NJIT 7-2 on her own to keep Rutgers on top. McMiller added a layup to force a Highlanders' timeout at 1:35, with the score, 63-51.
- The teams traded free throws to end the third, but RU remained in front, 69-56.
- Both teams were evenly matched through the four minutes of the fourth quarter to keep the gap, 81-67. Thompson and McMiller combined for five points before a stop at the 5:59 mark.
- The programs continued to add points from both ends, but the Scarlet Knights maintained a 13-point lead at the 4:54 media stoppage. Adams and Lacey added back-to-back fast break layups on assists in the effort.
- Each squad continued to add buckets but it was NJIT who broke through this time to score an unanswered seven points. Five of which came at the charity stripe.
- The Highlanders added one more three but Lacey and Adams combined for four points to close out the day with a 10-point win, 94-84.
Gallery: (11-10-2024) RU WBB vs. NJIT
Knights Notes
- Destiny Adams had a historic double-double, recording 36 points and 22 rebounds.
- Her 36 points ties a Jersey Mike's Arena record that was previously set by 2024 Olympian Arella Guirantes in 2020. She is also tied for 8th all-time for most points in a single game along with Guirantes and Caroline DeRoose who netted 36 in 1994.
- Her 22 rebounds were just two shy of the arena high and four away from the single-season record.
- Adams is the first Scarlet Knight to reach 30+ points and 20 rebounds in over 12 seasons. She is also the first RU player to record back-to-back games with 30+ points since Sue Wicks.
- Dating back to last season, Adams has reached double digit points in 20 consecutive contests.
- The senior also set career bests in free throws made (16) and attempted (21), after drawing a massive 19 fouls.
- McMiller is the first Scarlet Knight freshman to reach 20+ points in her first three games under head coach Coquese Washington.
- RU's 61 rebounds is the most in a single game since 2018, when the team ended with 73 boards against Saint Francis (Nov. 6). Rutgers has won the battle off the boards in all three contests this season and recorded 50+ boards twice.
- The 94 points from RU is the most since the team reached 98 against La Salle (Dec. 5) last season.
Volume Up
Next Up
Rutgers will complete its four-game homestand to start the season against Iona on Friday, Nov. 15. The contest will begin at 11 a.m. for the team's annual Recess Day.
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