Rutgers University
9-13,1-10Big Ten
USC
13-9,5-6Big Ten
Women's Basketball Defeated at RV USC
Feb 01 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – Rutgers women's basketball team (9-13, 1-10 B1G) fell to RV USC (13-9, 5-6 B1G), 71-39, at the Galen Center on Sunday afternoon.
Zachara Perkins (12) and Imani Lester (11) reached double figure scoring while Antonia Bates paced the team with seven rebounds.
How it Happened
- USC struck first but Lauryn Swann and Zachara Perkins responded to give Rutgers a 4-2 lead.
What a pass 🤩
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) February 1, 2026
📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/S9nuS417ww#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/cfxoEgUzcA
- At the 6:10 mark, the Trojans hit their first three to go up by one, but Imani Lester recorded a layup just before the 4:50 media timeout to regain the 6-5 advantage. Kaylah Ivey extended the lead after the stop with a pull up three, 9-5.
- Perkins continued a 7-0 run for RU with a contested layup, but USC came back with five consecutive points to put the contest back within a point, 11-10, and force an RU timeout.
- Both teams continued to trade scores, but Imani Lester hit one more basket before the end of the opening quarter to give the Scarlet Knights a 15-12 lead.
- USC started the second quarter off with a three to immediately knot the score, 15-15.
- The opposition added a layup at 7:43 to go back up. However, Ivey converted her second deep shot of the day to take back the one-point edge, 18-17.
Again 🔥🔥
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) February 1, 2026
📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/S9nuS417ww#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/ZD2ViOKfGs
- The teams traded free throws, but USC recorded a three-point play before the 4:52 media timeout to keep the 24-19 lead.
- The opponent continued a 10-0 run following the break as RU called its second timeout with 3:31 to play, the Trojans in front, 29-19.
- Faith Blackstone ended the stretch with two free throws and a layup to cut the gap before halftime, 29-23.
- Lester started off the third quarter with a contested layup, but USC responded with five points to stay up, 34-25.
GO TO WORK 👏
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) February 1, 2026
📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/S9nuS417ww#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/S7udekx5ae
- Blackstone netted a layup off a back door look from Antonia Bates, but the Trojans put together another five points.
- Swann sunk a jumper, but the opposition matched the points before the 4:48 media timeout. USC stayed in control, 41-29.
- The opponent netted another four unanswered points before RU's third timeout at 3:37, to stay ahead by 16 points.
- The Trojans kept going after the break with another 5-0 stretch. Both teams hit two shots at the line before the end of the third period, but the opponent remained in front, 52-31.
- The home team started the final 10 minutes with a 10-0 run. Perkins put an end to the stretch with just over six minutes to play. USC added one more layup before the 5:46 media timeout, keeping the 64-33 advantage.
- Perkins netted a pair of free throws and a three as the opponent called a timeout with 3:35 on the clock. She kept it going after the stop with another shot at the line.
- USC ended the game with seven points to come away with the 71-39 victory.
Knights Notes
- Zachara Perkins netted 12 points at USC. She has hit double figures in both games since her three games hiatus and 12 outings overall.
- Imani Lester ended with 11 points, her 14th outing with 10+ points.
- Antonia Bates paced RU with seven rebounds. Bates has led Rutgers on the boards seven times this campaign, including the last three games.
- Kaylah Ivey hit two three-pointers against the Trojans. She has hit at least two deep shots in 15 games and at least one in the last five outings.
- Ivey ended the day with seven assists, one shy of her season best. She has recorded three or more helpers 14 times this slate.
- The contest was tight through the first half, with eight lead changes and three ties.
Next Up
Rutgers say on the West Coast to take on No. 2/2 UCLA on Feb. 4 at 10 p.m. ET.
Follow Along
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