MINNEAPOLIS — Destiny Adams's historic performance wasn't enough as Rutgers women's basketball (8-24, 2-16 B1G) dropped a close 77-69 decision to Minnesota (16-14, 5-13 B1G) in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday night.
Adams secured a career best 24 rebounds which also set the single-game Big Ten Tournament record. In addition, she netted 31 points to pace the team plus three assists, one steal and one block.
Erica Lafayette had another double figure scoring day, securing 16 points in addition to four three-pointers.
How it Happened
- Both teams earned multiple defensive stops in the first moments of the opening quarter. In turn, the teams remained tied on offense, 4-4, to start the game. However, with just under seven minutes to play, the Gophers scored consecutive buckets to take the five-point lead.
- Lafayette responded for Rutgers, hitting back-to-back threes to put RU ahead 10-9. UM added a layup before the 4:53 media timeout to get back in front by one, 11-10.
- Out of the break, Antonia Bates hit another three to put the Scarlet Knights back in control by two, 13-11.
- Both squads continued to trade baskets and the lead back and forth. Minnesota came out on top through the first 10 minutes though, 24-14, outscoring Rutgers 13-1 in the final minutes.
- Both teams were quiet in the first two minutes of the second quarter until Destiny Adams found the basketball at the eight-minute mark. The Gophers matched the points and the score remained 10 points apart with just under six minutes to play.
- Kennedy Brandt, Kassondra Brown and Lafayette gave the Scarlet Knights' offense a spark, recording a trio of three-pointers to make it a three-point game, 30-27, at the period's halfway point.
- Following the 4:16 media timeout, RU continued its 10-0 stretch to take its first lead of the quarter, 31-32, forcing another stop from the opposition. However, the Gophers took back control, 34-31, as Rutgers used a pause.
- Minnesota continued to produce on offense, scoring five more points to go into the locker room with the 39-35 advantage.
- In the third, both teams continued to trade possessions, as the Gophers entered the 7:13 media timeout in front by just three points, 42-39.
- Out of the stop, the opposition continued to build on their lead, secured five more points. Just before the 4:46 media timeout, Cornwell added a layup to cut the gap, 47-41.
- The opposition continued to score but the Scarlet Knights kept it close as Jillian Huerter drained her first three of the game with just over three minutes to play in the third. Adams followed up with an electrifying three-point play to keep the productivity going.
- Huerter and Lafayette combined for five points to end the quarter and put the contest within one-point, 56-55.
- To start the final quarter, the teams continued to match each other on offense. For the first five minutes of the period, the teams kept the score within a five-point difference.
- With just over two minutes left in the game, Minnesota stretched its lead to eight, but a pair of shots at the line from Huerter and a three-point play from Adams brought it back to three points, 72-69.
- However, the Gophers ends the contest on a 5-0 run, to come out with the 77-69 victory.
Gallery: (3-7-2024) Rutgers WBB vs. Minnesota (BTT)
Knights Notes
- Adams's 24 rebounds broke the previous single-game Big Ten rebounding record by three boards. The record was previously set by Ohio State's Stephanie Mavunga against Minnesota in 2018. The performance also tops the Rutgers Big Ten Tournament high of 16 set last season by Cornwell.
- In addition to the 24 boards, Adams also netted 31 points. The last time a Scarlet Knight has 20+ points and 20+ rebounds was Osh Brown (20, 20), vs DePaul (Nov. 25, 2021). The outcome marks her eighth double-double of the season.
- Adams's 31 points marks a new Rutgers Big Ten Tournament high. It beats the previous best of 30 points set by Arella Guirantes versus Indiana in 2020. Her 12 field goals and 24 attempts from the floor are also new highs, both set in 2016 by Tyler Scaife.
- Adams scored 30+ points twice during the 2023-24 campaign. She scored a career-high 33 points earlier this season versus Penn State (Jan. 14).
- During her first slate at Rutgers, Adams recorded double-digit points in the last 17 contests and 10+ points 27 times during the season.
- With 16 points against the Gophers, Lafayette has reached 10+ in the final three games of the season. She netted 20 points against Michigan State (Feb. 24) and 11 versus Northwestern (March 3).
- The Scarlet Knights secured 13 assists against the Wildcats, the team's 23rd outing of the season with 10 or more helpers.
- RU won the second (21-15) and third quarters (20-17).
- The Scarlet Knights topped the Gophers in the paint (28-24) and off fast breaks (14-4).
- Rutgers won the battle off the glass, 42-24. This season, RU has either bested their opponent in rebounding or tied in 18 outings.
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