PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Rutgers women's basketball team (11-18, 3-15 B1G) defeated Penn State (10-19, 1-17 B1G), 75-70, on Senior Day at Jersey Mike's Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Five Scarlet Knights reached double digits including a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double from Destiny Adams. She stuffed the box score also recording seven assists, three steals and two blocks.
Mya Petticord (13), Lisa Thompson (13), JoJo Lacey (12) and Zachara Perkins (10) were the other Scarlet Knights in double figures with Petticord draining three shots beyond the arc and Thompson shooting nine-of-ten (90 percent) from the charity stripe.
The team also celebrated Senior Day ono Sunday, honoring Destiny Adams, Chyna Cornwell, JoJo Lacey and Awa Sidibe pregame.
How it Happened
- Zachara Perkins grabbed the first points for RU with a deep shot beyond the arc. After Penn State knocked down back-to-back free throws, JoJo Lacey added a score with a layup.
- Both teams traded baskets for a while with Destiny Adams and Chyna Cornwell doing the damage for the Scarlet Knights.
- Rutgers then scored five straight thanks to a three from Adams and two shots at the charity stripe from Janae Walker. RU led by one, 14-13, at the 4:48 media timeout.
- Following another PSU score, Mya Petticord and Perkins drained back-to-back three pointers to take the 22-16 lead with 2:02 remaining in the first quarter.
- The Nittany Lions netted one more bucket, but Lisa Thompson added two free throws to end the first quarter with Rutgers ahead, 24-18.
- Penn State sank two baskets to start the second quarter but a layup from Adams kept the opponent at bay.
- The Nittany Lions scored again but Thompson tacked on two more free throws to maintain the four point lead, 28-24, with 3:31 remaining.
- Penn State stayed consistent on offense to take the lead with five consecutive points but Adams and Petticord regained the advantage with 23 seconds left in the half.
- Both teams then traded free throws to end the opening 20 minutes but RU still went into the locker room with the 34-31 edge.
- Penn State grabbed the first points of the half with a layup, but Adams canceled it out with a layup of her own.
- Rutgers went on another five-point stretch after a PSU layup with scores from Thompson and Adams again. The Scarlet Knights retained the 41-35 advantage with 7:09 remaining in the third period.
- The Nittany Lions answered with a seven-point run of their own to take the one-point lead.
- Perkins had the answer for RU though to take back the lead with back-to-back free throws.
- With 4:49 left in the third quarter, Walker came through, trading layups with PSU.
- Penn State added two field goals in a row to get back on top by three. However, the Scarlet Knights rattled off an 11-2 run over the last 3:42 in the quarter with scores from Adams, Lacey and a huge three-point shot from Petticord. Rutgers headed into the final 10 minutes with the 56-60 lead.
- The Nittany Lions once again struck first in the final quarter but a jumper from Thompson and another Petticord three ball extended RU's edge to nine.
- Penn State kept fighting, adding two buckets, but Lacey caught fire knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to maintain the nine-point lead for Rutgers.
- PSU wouldn't go quietly though, going on their own six-point run to cut the RU lead down to just three points with 1:47 remaining.
- However, layups from Perkins and Lacey, and free throws down the stretch helped the Scarlet Knights take the victory 75-70 in their final home game of the regular season.
Knight Notes
- Destiny Adams recorded her 14th double-double of the season, second in a row and 22nd of her career against Penn State with 19 points and 14 rebounds. She has reached double-digits in 25 games this season including 16 of the last 17 outings.
- In addition, Adams reached a career best seven assists, surpassing her previous high of five which she set against Wagner (Nov. 9) last season.
- Mya Petticord (13), Lisa Thompson (13), JoJo Lacey (12) and Zachara Perkins (10) all also finished the game with 10+ points each to mark the first time five Scarlet Knights have reached double figures since Jan. 5, 2024, against Iowa.
- Petticord knocked down three threes to signify a season high and just one shy of her career best. She has hit multiple deep balls in 12 outings this season and in five of the last six games.
- Lacey has hit 10+ points 16 times this season, including the most recent six contests. She also added two shots from beyond the arc against the Nittany Lions and has done so on 15 occasions this slate.
- Thompson's 13 points marks her fourth outing with double figures this campaign and Perkins' 10 points marks her second.
- The contest featured 12 lead changes and five ties.
- Rutgers bested Penn State in rebounds (35-34), assists (16-13) and blocks (3-2).
- The Scarlet Knights finished 2-0 against the Nittany Lions this season, also coming up with a 69-65 win on the road in overtime on Jan. 26. RU is now 35-21 all-time against PSU and has won four of the last five meetings.
Volume Up
Looking Ahead
Rutgers will await their fate for the Big Ten Tournament which will take place in Indianapolis from March 3-9.
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