PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Destiny Adams recorded her third B1G double-double and Mya Petticord netted a career-best scoring performance to lead the Rutgers women's basketball team (8-19, 2-12 B1G) over Minnesota (14-10, 4-9 B1G), 81-73, on Tuesday night at Jersey Mike's Arena.
Petticord led all scorers with 25 points. The sophomore came up huge in the fourth quarter, recording 17 of Rutgers' 29 points, including perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line to help clinch the win.
Adams' 21 points and 10 rebounds helped the junior to her sixth double-double of the season and third in Big Ten play.
Antonia Bates also had a big performance for the Scarlet Knights as a key facilitator of RU's offense with a career-high eight assists. She also recorded a career-best four steals.
Erica Lafayette had a big game from beyond-the-arc with a career-high three three-pointers on 75 percent shooting (3-of-4).
Rutgers had its best performance of the season at the free throw line, shooting 26-of-28 (92.9 percent), highlighted by Adams' 9-of-9 performance at the charity stripe.
After falling down, 18-8, after the first quarter, Rutgers outscored Minnesota, 73-55, across the following three periods to claim its victory. The Scarlet Knights shot 15-of-25 (60 percent) from the field and 7-of-9 (77.8 percent) from three in the second half.
How it Happened
- Minnesota opened the game's scoring with a layup 56 seconds into the game. Adams put Rutgers on the board with a three-point play the following possession.
- The Gophers used back-to-back three pointers to claim an 8-3 lead midway through the opening frame.
- Jillian Huerter used her first three-pointer of the contest to put the Scarlet Knights back within two heading into the first media timeout of the night.
- Bates added two free throws out of the break, but Minnesota outscored RU, 10-2, over the final four minutes of the quarter to take a 10-point lead into the second.
- Bates and Chyna Cornwell opened the second with two-straight layups to get the Scarlet Knights back within six.
- RU continued to get itself back into the contest, outsourcing the Gophers, 12-4, throughout the first six minutes of the quarter. With 4:10 to play in the half, Rutgers was down just 22-20.
- At the 3:42 mark, Minnesota added a three-pointer to push its lead back to five. The edge didn't last long, though, as Lafayette responded with a three of her own for RU. Adams then tied the game at 25 with a pair of free throws.
- The Gophers used a field goal to reclaim a two-point edge, but Adams answered again from the charity stripe with an additional two points.
- Minnesota looked to take a lead into the locker room, but a defensive stop by RU locked the game at 27 heading into halftime.
- Huerter got the second-half scoring going with a three just 12 seconds into play. Minnesota responded with a layup, but Rutgers kept the scoring going with a combined four points from Adams and Petticord, forcing a Gophers' timeout.
- Out of the break, Lafayette and Petticord combined for three makes from beyond-the-arc, helping the Scarlet Knights take a 10-point lead into a 5:14 media pause.
- Minnesota used a 7-1 run out of the timeout to get itself back within four. Adams and Kassondra Brown returned RU's lead back to eight after combining for four points.
- The teams went on to exchange baskets throughout the quarter's final minute, as Rutgers took a 52-48 lead into the final 10 minutes of play.
- Rutgers narrowly outscored Minnesota, 17-14, through the first five minutes of the first quarter, with 11 of the Scarlet Knights points coming courtesy of Petticord. With 4:30 to play, RU was up, 69-62.
- A layup from Adams extended the RU edge to nine. The Gophers continued to search for ways to cut into the Scarlet Knights' lead, but Adams and Petticord found answers each time, adding a combined four free throws to keep the lead at seven.
- The Gophers downed a three-pointer with 33 seconds left in the contest, but Petticord nailed another two free throws to put Rutgers up 77-71 with 13.5 to play.
- Petticord and Brown downed a combined four makes at the charity stripe, as Rutgers went on to claim an 81-73 win.
Gallery: (2-13-2024) Rutgers WBB vs. Minnesota
Knights Notes
- Petticord's 25 points marks a new career-best for the sophomore, eclipsing her preview mark of 17 set against Monmouth (Nov. 6) in the season opener. The guard also downed a career-high four threes.
- Adams ended the night with 21 points. She has now reached 20+ points in seven contests this campaign, including two of the last three. The junior has also recorded double-digit points in the past 12 contests and 10+ points 22 times this season.
- Along with her double-figure scoring performance, Adams' 10 rebounds helped the junior record her sixth career and third B1G double-double.
- With a career-high eight dimes on Tuesday, Bates has now recorded five or more assists in six of the team's last nine games. The sophomore leads the team with 84 helpers this season.
- Bates also recorded a career-best four steals, helping to force Minnesota's 17 turnovers.
- Lafayette downed a career-best three makes from beyond-the-arc on 75 percent shooting (3-of-4).
- All six of Huerter's points came from beyond-the-arc, marking the freshman's 15th game with 2+ threes this season.
- RU shot a season-best 92.9 percent (26-of-28) from the free throw line, including a perfect 10-of-10 in the fourth quarter.
- The Scarlet Knights' 15 assists marks the 18th time they have recorded 10+ helpers this campaign.
- RU outscored Minnesota, 73-55, across the final three quarters of the game after being outscore, 18-8, in the first quarter,
- Rutgers now holds a 9-5 advantage in the all-time series against Minnesota.
Volume Up
Next Up
Rutgers will remain at home for its annual Play4Kay game against Wisconsin on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. The contest will be available to stream on B1G+.
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