Rutgers University
8-7,0-4Big Ten
Ohio State
13-2,3-1Big Ten
Women's Basketball Downed at No. 19/20 Ohio State
Jan 04 | Women's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Despite a close first half, the Rutgers women's basketball team (8-7, 0-4 B1G) fell to No. 19/20 Ohio State (13-2, 3-1 B1G), 71-49 on Sunday afternoon.
Faith Blackstone led the Scarlet Knights with 16 points, including two three-pointers. Imani Lester also netted 14 points in addition to a team-high six rebounds.
The contest featured five lead changes and five ties.
How it Happened
- Each team scored two buckets to start things off and tie it up, 4-4 with just under eight minutes to play. Faith Blackstone gave RU its first lead of the day with a three just before the 6:40 media timeout, 7-6.
- Imani Lester extended the Scarlet Knights's lead, 9-6, before a pair of free throws from Ohio State put it back within one point at the quarter's halfway mark.
- The Buckeyes built on the momentum, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to go up, 14-9, and force an RU timeout with 4:14 remaining.
- Blackstone responded with a layup before another stoppage at the 3:10 mark.
🤩🤩
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) January 4, 2026
📺 @BigTenNetwork
📊 https://t.co/XebknU2NHt#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/ta8Flb855B
- Lester got after it following the pause with consecutive buckets to put Rutgers back on top, 15-14. Nene Ndiaye continued the 8-0 run to end the opening 10 minutes and keep the team in control, 17-14.
- OSU immediately tied it up out of the break, but Kaylah Ivey recorded her first deep shot of the game to go back up by three, 20-17.
SPLASH!
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) January 4, 2026
📺 @BigTenNetwork
📊 https://t.co/XebknU2NHt#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/6YTSDComwJ
- Ohio State sunk one free throw but followed up with a jumper a few possessions later to knot the score once again, 20-all, with 6:01 to play.
- With just under 4:30 to go, Blackstone drained another three while the Buckeyes added one shot at the line and another jumper to keep it tied.
- With under two minutes left in the half, the Buckeyes recorded eight points to continue an 11-0 stretch and regain the 31-23 edge.
- Just before the buzzer, Ivey netted another basket from beyond the arc, but the opposition stayed ahead, 31-26.
- Blackstone started the third quarter with a layup, but OSU responded with another 8-0 stretch to stay up, 39-28, at the 7:13 media timeout.
YUP 👏
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) January 4, 2026
📺 @BigTenNetwork
📊 https://t.co/XebknU2NHt#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/RSB3aOIj8y
- Out of the pause, the teams matched scoring to keep an 11-point difference heading into the next 4:45 media timeout.
- Blackstone and Deja Young both recorded baskets, but Ohio State matched the points each time. Both teams ended the period answering the remainder of points scored to go into the final 10 minutes with a nine-point gap, 51-42.
- Nene Ndiaye broke up a pair of Buckeye buckets to kick off action in the final 10 minutes of play. However, Ohio State put together another 8-0 run, to take the 61-44 advantage, as RU called its third timeout at the 5:34 mark.
- Nene Ndiaye scored again out of the break, but the opponent continued to be productive on offense with another seven consecutive points to keep the 68-46 lead.
- Blackstone broke up the scoring with a free throw and Precious Gem Wheeler recorded a jumper but OSU still came out on top, 71-49.
Knights Notes
- Faith Blackstone (16) has reached 10+ in four contests this season, including three of the last four outings.
- Blackstone hit two threes on Sunday and has recorded two or more deep shots in the last four games.
- Imani Lester (14) reached double figures in scoring for the 10th time this season.
- Lester also paced the team with six rebounds.
- Ivey recorded five helpers against the Buckeyes. She has dished three or more dimes 10 times this season, including eight of the last nine outings.
Next Up
Rutgers will host No. 7/6 Maryland on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m.
Follow Along
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersWBB) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersWBB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
