PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers women's basketball team (8-10, 0-7 B1G) fell in a close contest to No. 22/22 Michigan State (14-3, 4-2 B1G), 70-60, at Jersey Mike's Arena on Wednesday night.
Destiny Adams recorded yet another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, her ninth of the season.
Kiyomi McMiller scored in double digits (13) for the 13th straight contest. Off the bench, Chyna Cornwell grabbed 15 rebounds including eight on the offensive glass. She also blocked a career high four shots on the night.
How it Happened
- Michigan State kicked off the scoring with a three-point shot, but Awa Sidibe quickly answered with a layup.
- Destiny Adams then matched a Spartan score, followed by JoJo Lacey sinking a three-pointer to match as well.
- After that, two free throws from Adams canceled out another MSU score to keep the deficit at one.
- Michigan State soon caught fire though, sinking three shots beyond the arc with an Adams fast break layup mixed in. With just over four minutes remaining, MSU remained ahead, 19-11.
- The Scarlet Knights then got into a groove over the next two minutes with Lacey, Adams and Sidibe netting baskets.
- Michigan State sank another basket, but Chyna Cornwell ended the quarter with a free throw and a layup to keep MSU's edge to only two, 22-20.
- Rutgers came storming out of the break scoring eight straight to take control, 28-22, and forcing an MSU timeout at 6:29.
- Michigan State wouldn't go quietly though sinking another three-point shot and a jumper to cut the Rutgers lead to one.
- However, Kiyomi McMiller kept the Rutgers' offense going, draining a deep ball of her own to slow down the Spartans.
- MSU quickly answered though rattling off a six-point run to go up by two before a Rutgers timeout at 2:57.
- With 17 seconds left, McMiller sank a basket to send both teams to the locker room, 33-all.
- The Scarlet Knights grabbed the lead out of halftime with a made shot at the charity stripe by Adams, but MSU quickly retaliated with three points.
- McMiller answered with a deep three-pointer to take the lead back once again, 37-36.
- The lead changed once again with two MSU scores, but Zachara Perkins tied the game at 40 with a three-point-play and 6:14 on the clock.
- MSU followed up with three more points, but the Scarlet Knights kept battling with three straight free throws to tie the game again for a fifth time.
- However, the Spartans pulled away over the last 3:32 ,going on a 12-3 run to end the quarter with a 55-46 lead.
- Out of the stoppage MSU sank a bucket but Perkins made it back to the free throw line and sank one herself.
- Michigan State then scored two more times before Adams went two-for-two at the charity stripe with 6:14 remaining.
- MSU called a timeout at 5:45, and after the Spartans scored again, Cornwell added three points to Rutgers total with a fast break layup and a free-throw.
- Adams then traded baskets with Michigan State before another RU timeout at 2:22.
- After the break, Sidibe drained a three-pointer and added another score to bring the deficit down to single digits.
- Both teams scored again but that would be the last of it, Michigan State battled through to come out on top, 70-60.
Gallery: (1-15-2025) RU WBB vs. Michigan State
Knight Notes
- Destiny Adams recorded her ninth double-double of the season and the 17th of her career. Wednesday's double-double against the Spartans surpasses her 2023-24 total of eight.
- Adams continues her solid play on defense as well, earning three steals against MSU. She has recorded three or more swipes nine times this slate including the last four contests.
- With 13 points, Kiyomi McMiller has now reached double figures in 13 consecutive games.
- McMiller drained two threes against the Spartans, her 12th outing of the season with multiple deep balls.
- Chyna Cornwell blocked a career high four shots against the Spartans, besting her previous high of three stops which she accomplished three times. Four denials is also the most by any Scarlet Knight this campaign.
- Cornwell also tied her season highs in rebounds (15) and offensive rebounds (8).
- Rutgers outscored Michigan State 13-11 in the second quarter to go into halftime tied with Michigan State.
- Wednesday's outing consisted of six lead changes and five times where the teams were tied.
Volume Up
Looking Ahead
RU will travel to RV/RV Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 18. The contest will tip off at 12 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
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