PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers women's basketball team (6-4, 0-1 B1G) defeated FDU (7-3), 83-58, at Jersey Mike's Arena on Wednesday night.
Kiyomi McMiller's career night led the way for the Scarlet Knights, as she dropped a career high 30-points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double.
Chyna Cornwell added a double-double off the bench as well, with 14 points and 11 rebounds including eight offensive boards. In addition, Destiny Adams also reached double digits with 13 points, along two blocks and steals a piece.
In a defensive masterclass, RU held an FDU team that normally shoots 33.5 percent from beyond the arc to only 19 percent (4-of-21). Rutgers won the battle of the boards as well, 51-27, including a dominating performance on the offensive glass, 22-10.
How it Happened
- Kiyomi McMiller kicked off scoring with a shot from beyond the arc to give the Scarlet Knights the early lead.
- FDU came down the court and scored to bring it within one but five straight points from Destiny Adams and another McMiller three-pointer forced and FDU timeout at 6:26 with RU up, 11-2.
- FDU hit a three out of the break, but McMiller stayed hot with a jumper in the paint. FDU answered but two more scores from Adams gave Rutgers the 10-point lead with 4:36 remaining.
- FDU went on a five-point run but the Scarlet Knights came right back with their own six-point stretch, led by Lisa Thompson and Chyna Cornwell.
- FDU scored five more in the final two minutes but with one second left on the clock, McMiller ended the quarter with a jumper giving her 10 points and putting Rutgers up, 25-17.
- McMiller kept up the pace with another score out of the break, but FDU had the answer with another three ball.
- Mya Petticord got on the board with two straight deep balls within 33 seconds of each other, pushing the RU advantage to 13 with 8:18 remaining.
- Both teams traded baskets over the next minute, with Zachara Perkins and Thompson both scoring, but then held each other scoreless until the 4:47 media timeout. The Scarlet Knights remained in control however, 36-23.
- FDU wouldn't go quietly after the pause, scoring six points in 1:20 remaining, with two McMiller free-throws mixed in. FDU would go onto cut the Rutgers lead down to nine.
- Another McMiller three pointer capped off an 8-2 run for the Scarlet Knights to end the quarter. RU headed into the locker room with the 46-31 edge.
- Thompson came out of the locker room with a fast break layup, but neither team scored again until a layup from Adams at 7:40, forcing FDU to take a timeout. Another layup from Perkins layup out of the break pushed the Scarlet Knights' lead to 21.
- FDU added its first points of the third quarter at 5:36 with two free throws, but Cornwell negated them with a three-point play. Rutgers then called a timeout at 4:49 after two FDU scores, up 55-37.
- JoJo Lacey entered the box score after the stoppage with a jumper in the paint, and Thompson added another score while trading baskets with FDU over the next two minutes.
- FDU ended the third quarter with four straight free throws, but Rutgers stayed on top, 61-47.
- Coming out of the stoppage, FDU scored first, but it was all Rutgers from there. RU went on an 8-2 stretch, forcing an FDU timeout at 7:04 with the Scarlet Knights up by 18 points.
- After the break, FDU got on the board with what would be its last points for 3:40. RU netted nine unanswered points to take a 25-point advantage.
- The two teams would trade baskets over the final three minutes, but the lead would stay with the Scarlet Knights as they came out on top, 83-58.
Gallery: (12-11-2024) RU WBB vs. FDU
Knights Notes
- Kiyomi McMiller set a career high in points, marking the first time she has scored 30 points in a game. This is her eighth straight double-digit game and sixth game this year with 20+.
- McMiller also tied her career highs in rebounds (11), steals (3) and field goals made (12).
- Wednesday night's performance of 14 points and 11 rebounds marks Chyna Cornwell's 14th career double-double and second of the season.
- Cornwell has now brought in 10+ boards on seven occasions to pace the squad this campaign and 28 times in her career.
- With 13 points, Adams has reached double digit points in the last three outings and 35 total times in her career.
- The Scarlet Knights stay perfect against FDU, now 6-0 in the all-time series. When RU out rebounds its opponent, they are 6-0.
- Rutgers out rebounded FDU 51-37, the third time this season the team has grabbed 50+ boards.
- RU held FDU to its lowest three-point percentage of the season so far of 19 percent (4-of-21).
- Rutgers had just 10 turnovers against the Knights, its third lowest total of the season. The team has committed 10 or less giveaways in the most recent three outings.
- RU bested FDU in steals, 10-4. The squad has eclipsed 10 or more takeaways on three occasions, including the last two contests.
Volume Up
Looking Ahead
Rutgers will continue its four-game homestand against Wagner on Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. before facing Lafayette (Dec. 21) and Ohio State (Dec. 29).
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.
