The Rutgers Scarlet Knights Women’s Basketball Team(3-0) won their third straight game, 94-84, over the NJIT Highlanders(1-2) at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Rutgers fell behind early 16-11 in the first quarter but closed the quarter on a 9-4 spurt to jump in front 20-19. Scarlet Knights forward Destiny Adams, fresh off a dominating double-double performance against Cornell, tallying 30 points and 15 rebounds, picked up where she left off, netting 11 points.
In the second quarter, guard Mya Petticord provided a major spark, scoring eight consecutive points to extend Rutgers’s advantage to 35-27.
However, NJIT ignited a rebuttal with an 8-0 run to trim the deficit to 37-35 with less than five minutes remaining. The Scarlet Knights managed to hold the lead until 43 seconds left.
Rutgers ended the first half on a high note. Kiyomi McMiller took an inbounds pass, dribbled the ball up the court, and knocked down a trifecta that banked off the glass, putting the Scarlet Knights up 47-44 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Destiny Adams utilized her size and strength to get inside position, which led to fouls and converting free throws. Adams scored 11 points as Rutgers widened the margin to double digits at 61-51 with less than two minutes left. By the time the period ended, the Scarlet Knights held a commanding 69-56 lead. Rutgers outscored the Highlanders 22-12.
Once the fourth quarter commenced, the Scarlet Knights stretched out the margin. Kiyomi McMiller contributed ten points as the lead swelled to 17 points with less than three minutes remaining.
Eventually, Rutgers cruised to their third win in a row behind a phenomenal performance by Destiny Adams. She totaled her second double-double in a row with 36 points and 22 points, the highest amount in the Big Ten Conference for the Scarlet Knights, and she was 16 of 21 from the free-throw line.
For NJIT, Kiyomi McMiller finished with 25 points, and Chyna Cornwell grabbed 15 rebounds. Alejandra Zuniga poured in a game-high 26 points, while Allison Cannon chipped in with 12 points.
Rutgers controlled all the main categories, 37 bench points, fast break points 28-7, points in the paint 50-28, and 27-9 in points off turnovers.
Scarlet Knights Head Coach Coquese Washington on the victory, “I thought we did an aggressive job and assertive in the paint and one of the things we walked about coming into the game and we wanted to have a force in the paint.” “Destiny and Chyna in particular were really aggressive with offensive rebounds and rebounding the ball and they(NJIT) couldn’t stop them from going up and that’s one of the reasons we got the advantage at the free throw line.”
“Destiny plays so hard and that’s one of the things difficult to stop.” “She’s just relentless with everything she does, and it may be hard to see but she’s having fun out there and such a joy to coach on how hard she plays and giving of herself every time she steps on the floor.”
“Kiyomi brings a lot of energy and speed, and it helps us with our pace and an incredible ball handler and so creative.” “She can get anywhere on the floor.”
Rutgers returns to action on Friday, November 15th, against Iona with an 11 a.m. tip-off at Jersey Mike’s Arena. “It’s about containing the ball, defense, and keeping the ball in front of us and rebounding,” Head Coach Coquese Washington mentioned. “It’s not about one thing but continuing to get better throughout the season.”
“We want to continue to hone on who we are, and our identity is and focus on what didn’t go so well this week as much as we get better at who we are and playing our brand of basketball and get back in the gym and work on these things.”
Photo Credit: Rutgers Athletics