Rutgers narrowly defeats Hofstra 73-68

November 8, 2022

Rutgers University women's basketball took the court for the first time this season to face off against Hofstra University, defeating them 73-68. Senior Awa Sidibe had nine rebounds and a career-high 16 points to help lead the Scarlet Knights to victory.

Highlights

Early in the matchup, it was very back-and-forth between the two teams. Graduate student Abby Streeter made the first bucket of the season to tie up the game where Hofstra had the lead. The two teams went back and forth with buckets until Rutgers got a 7-5 lead. The Pride had two consecutive shots to follow that gave them the 10-7 lead. Rutgers went on a 6-0 after the media break but could not hold off Hofstra, who came back to finish the first quarter 19-15.

Q1 | Sidibe find the basket in traffic and forces a Hofstra timeout 😤😤

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— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) November 7, 2022

At the end of the first quarter, Hofstra shot 7-of-21 field goals and 3-of-9 three-pointers. Rutgers shot 7-12 field goals and 0-1 from beyond the arc.

In the opening minutes of the second quarter, junior Erica Lafayette scored a jumper and was awarded free throws to get the Scarlet Knights within four of the Pride. Rutgers then kept their momentum going as freshman Kaylene Smikle intercepted a Hofstra pass and found Streeter, who made a three-pointer to take the lead 23-22. Coming out of another media timeout, Rutgers capitalized to keep their lead. Junior Chyna Cornwell hit a big three-pointer to extend their lead. Rutgers's defense came up big in the closing minutes of the quarter, holding the Pride to only 1-10 field goals.

Q2 | TOUGH 💪

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— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) November 7, 2022

Rutgers finished the quarter leading 36-30. The second quarter ended with Hofstra shooting 3-13 field goals and 0-8 from the arc. The Scarlet Knights shot 7-14 field goals and 1-2 from the arc.

Coming back from the half, the Scarlet Knights did not let up on the offensive front. They went 4-4 from the floor, securing nine points. The Pride made consecutive baskets to decrease the deficit, but the Scarlet Knights still led by seven. Hofstra then went on a run, making 4 of 5 shots from the floor to cut the deficit to only six. Sidibe then went on to hit two more shots to end the quarter with eight points, and Hofstra made some key offensive plays to cut the score to 52-51 to end the quarter.

Q3 | 👀👀

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📊 https://t.co/Xp9jj4hyPH #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/6WYYMetvAw

— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) November 7, 2022

The teams finished the third quarter with Rutgers shooting 7-12 field goals and 1-3 three-point shots. Hofstra shot 8-17 field goals and 2-4 three-pointers.

The fourth and final quarter saw both teams vying for a win. The teams stayed tied at 59 until the 7:04 mark, until Rutgers scored on back-to-back drives to lead 64-59. The Pride stayed on the Scarlet Knights' tail, not letting them go beyond a three-point lead. In the final minutes, Hofstra tried to foul to gain the win, but Rutgers' free-throw shooting did not let up.

Q4 | Carter finds a way!

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📊 https://t.co/Xp9jj4hyPH #GoRU | #RUWBB pic.twitter.com/lB3iwbPvUE

— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) November 7, 2022

The Scarlet Knights won their first game of the season, 73-68.

What's Up Next for the Scarlet Knights?

Rutgers takes the court again on Nov. 11 to face off against fellow New Jersey neighbor Seton Hall at 7 p.m. at Jersey Mike's Arena. You can watch your Scarlet Knights on B1G+ or visit their website for ticketing information.