Rutgers University
7-4,0-1Big Ten
Princeton
10-1,0-0Ivy League
Women's Basketball Setback at Princeton
Dec 10 | Women's Basketball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Rutgers women's basketball (7-4, 0-1 B1G) couldn't get past Princeton (10-1) on Wednesday night, falling 81-63. The contest featured eight lead changes and three ties.
Nene Ndiaye (20), Kaylah Ivey (15) and Imani Lester (14) all ended with double-digit points.
How it Happened
- Just under two minutes into the game, Princeton netted the first points of the night with a three.
- The Tigers added another two points, but Kaylah Ivey got RU on the board with a three with just under 6:30 to go.
- Nene Ndiaye and Antonia Bates kept the momentum going with back-to-back layups to take the 7-5 edge and force a Princeton timeout with 5:34 to play.
Toni B does it alllll 🤩
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 11, 2025
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📊 https://t.co/oRrSUidwKW#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/fz5VQVA0xW
- Out of the stop, the teams traded scores, until an 8-0 run from the opposition gave PU an 18-12 lead. The Scarlet Knights called their first timeout with 2:13 to go in the opening period.
- Imani Lester hit a layup for her first points of the contest following the pause. Ivey followed up with her third three-pointer of the first quarter to put the game within one point, 18-17.
- Faith Blackstone hit a pair of shots at the line, but the Tigers took the lead into the second period with a late three, 21-19.
- The Tigers cashed in on a jumper to begin the second quarter, but Nene Ndiaye responded with a three to put the contest back within one, 23-22, at the 7:44 mark.
☔️☔️☔️
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 11, 2025
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📊 https://t.co/oRrSUidwKW #GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/bIoCZcrfwd
- Princeton netted five consecutive free throws to widen the gap back to six points.
- Lester added a shot at the charity stripe of her own, but the Tigers came back with a three to stay ahead, 31-23, at the 4:59 media timeout.
- Nene Ndiaye struck first out of the stop with a layup and then two free throws to make up some ground, 31-27.
- The opponent netted two more shots at the line, but Lester matched the points with a layup.
- Both teams added free throws down the stretch, but Princeton still went into the locker room with the 36-31 lead.
- Both programs started the third period going bucket-for-bucket once again. However, PU broke away for a 7-0 run to stay on top, 44-37. RU called its second timeout with 6:18 to play.
- Blackstone kicked off another back-and-forth rally before the 4:54 media timeout, but Princeton remained in control by eight points.
- Nene Ndiaye added another deep shot out of the stop, and Princeton added two free throws. Both teams went scoreless over the final 1:30, but the opponent still maintained the 51-44 edge going into the final 10 minutes.
- The Tigers started the final quarter with seven consecutive points to stay on top at the 8:32 mark, 58-44.
- Ivey hit back-to-back threes, but PU matched the points each time.
Back3⃣Back!
— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) December 11, 2025
📺 https://t.co/i2Ct6kBU6n
📊 https://t.co/oRrSUidwKW#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/EcFaYvwtc0
- The teams continued to trade baskets until an RU timeout at the 3:46 mark. The opposition stayed in front, 73-56.
- Both squads added a layup out of the pause followed by a three-pointer from PU and then a three-point play from Lester.
- The Tigers ended on a 3-2 scoring run to ultimately take the 81-63 victory.
Knights Notes
- Nene Ndiaye ended with 20 points, her fourth game with 20+ and 10th with double digits.
- Kaylah Ivey netted five three-pointers, just one shy of her career best. She has hit multiple shots from deep in eight outings this season.
- Rutgers led Princeton in blocks, 6-2. Both Antonia Bates and Imani Lester ended with two denials each, marking game highs.
- RU owned the advantage in points in the paint (32-26), second chance points (15-14) and bench points (22-7).
Next Up
Rutgers will return to Jersey Mike's Arena to face Lafayette in its final nonconference contest on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 12 p.m.
Follow Along
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