Sunday, December 31
East Lansing, Mich.
4:00 PM
Rutgers University
at
Michigan State
Photo by: Rich Graessle
Women's Hoops Hits the Road To Meet Michigan State
Dec 29 | Women's Basketball
Scarlet Knights & Spartans Tipoff at 4 p.m. on New Year's Eve
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The Rutgers women's basketball team takes its eight-game win streak on the road to meet Michigan State for a New Year's Eve showdown at 4 p.m. The game will be streamed live on BTN Plus.
B1G ON THE ROAD
Rutgers wrapped up an eight-game homestand on Thursday afternoon with a 58-50 win over Purdue in the 2017-18 Big Ten opener and now hits the road for its first conference contest away from the RAC.
The Scarlet Knights take their eight-game win streak, RU's longest since winning six straight to end the 2014 season with the WNIT title and continuing with six-consecutive victories to kick off the 2014-15 campaign, to East Lansing, Michigan. RU will face the Michigan State Spartans, a team receiving votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls.
In Thursday's win over the Boilermakers, Rutgers was able to put away the game in the final two minutes of the contest. The fourth quarter endured two ties and three lead changes before redshirt senior guard Tyler Scaife's "and one" gave the Scarlet Knights control with 1:43 left to play.
Scaife finished with a game-high 23 points, her sixth-straight 20+ scoring game. Graduate student Nigia Greene came off the bench for 11 points, her highest scoring output as a Scarlet Knight, and went 3-of-3 from downtown.
Also in the victory, junior guard Khadaizha Sanders handed out nine assists, while junior forward Caitlin Jenkins grabbed nine boards.
ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE
Like the Scarlet Knights, the Spartans opened up Big Ten play on Thursday in the win column. Michigan State defeated Indiana on the road, 68-46, to extend its current win streak to six.
Michigan State, who is just above Rutgers in the receiving votes category of both major polls, welcomes the Scarlet Knights with an 11-3 overall mark.
Junior center Jenna Allen leads a trio of Spartan double figure scorers at 11.5 points per game along with a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per contest.
Following Allen on the stat sheet are redshirt senior guard Branndais Agee at 11.0 points per game and freshman forward Sidney Cooks at 10.4 points per outing.
Sophomore guard Taryn McCuthceon, meanwhile, is second in the Big Ten in assists dishing out the ball on average of 5.5 times per game.
The Spartans lead the Big Ten in rebounding margin, out-hauling opponents by an average of 10.8 rebounds per game.
Michigan State is also third in the conference behind league leader Rutgers and No. 14/15 Maryland in steals averaging 10.1 thefts per game.
STRINGER MILESTONE NUMBERS TO REMEMBER
Rutgers head coach Stringer has compiled a 990-392 career record in 47 seasons and is 10 wins away from joining the elite 1,000 career victories club in women's basketball.
SCAIFE MILESTONE NUMBERS TO REMEMBER
Tyler Scaife's game-high 24 points in 23 minutes against Princeton on Dec. 13 propelled the redshirt senior into third place on the Rutgers all-time scoring leader list past former teammate Kahleah Copper (2012-16).
In the next game on Dec. 16, Scaife's steal leading to behind the back bucket that was featured on ESPNW's Top Ten Plays of the Week, pushed her past the 1,900 career point mark.
After adding in 23 points against Purdue in the Big Ten opener, Scaife now has 1,931 career points and needs 61 points to become the third Scarlet Knight to collect 2,000 career points and 281 more to move into second place on the all-time list past Cappie Pondexter (2002-2006).
Scaife has scored 320 points this season and kicked off the 2017-18 campaign 10th all-time in scoring.
Scaife is also among the active leading scorers in Division I:
1. Kelsey Mitchell , Ohio St. 2,918
2. Katelynn Flaherty , Michigan 2,337
3. Jasmine Nwajei , Syracuse 2,118
4. Victoria Vivians , Mississippi St. 2,031
5. A'Ja Wilson , South Carolina 1,936
6. Tyler Scaife , Rutgers 1,931
7. Kolby Morgan , Tulane 1,918
8. Kahlia Lawrence , Mercer 1,910
9. Tyra Buss , Indiana 1,880
10. Carlie Wagner , Minnesota 1,857
GETTING THE POINTS
Rutgers is enjoying one of its highest scoring averages under C. Vivian Stringer's 23-year tenure "On the Banks"
Top RU Scoring Averages Under C. Vivian Stringer
1. 70.0 (35 games) 1998-99 – 29-6 – Elite Eight
2. 69.8 (15 games) 2017-18 - 13-2 - Current Season
3t. 68.7 (32 games) 2014-15 - 23-10 - 2nd Round
3t. 68.7 (32 games) 1997-98 – 22-10 – Sweet 16
5. 67.3 (29 games) 2002-03 – 21-8 – 2nd Round
6. 66.2 (37 games) 2013-14 – WNIT Champions
7. 65.6 (31 games) 2000-01 – 23-8 – 2nd Round
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
As a team, Rutgers appeared in the top 25 in eight categories including leading the nation in total steals (198) and seventh in steals per game (13.2).
Individually, redshirt senior guard Tyler Scaife is leads the nation in field goals made (126), is second in total points (320) and third in field goals attempted (257).
B1G SPEAKING
You can find Rutgers leading the Big Ten in scoring defense (54.7) and steals (13.2) and ranking second in 3-point field goal defense (.296) and turnover margin (+6.5).
Among conference peers, redshirt senior guard Tyler Scaife is fourth in scoring (21.3) and third in free throw percentage (.859). Redshirt sophomore guard Ciani Cryor is seventh in steals (2.2) and junior forward Caitlin Jenkins is tied for seventh in blocks (1.5).
D-D-D-DEFENSE
The defense has turned up the pressure this season and currently leads the Big Ten in scoring defense holding opponents to just 54.7 points per game. All 15 opponents to date have been held under their scoring average.
In five of the last six games, Rutgers has held opponents to 50 points or under with the opposition averaging just 46.7 during the span.
Avg. Entering Total Pts.
Team: Game w/ RU: vs. RU:
JMU 70.2 63
Temple 96.0 67
Charlotte 70.5 54
Wake Forest 71.7 51
So. Carolina 88.2 78
Wash, St. 69.7 64
Siena 67.3 63
NC State 71.9 53
Virginia 63.2 43
Seton Hall 81.1 45
FDU 63.0 35
Princeton 65.8 50
Houston 73.9 57
Purdue 68.8 50
HELPING HANDS
After committing 25 turnovers against James Madison in the season opener on Nov. 10, the Scarlet Knights have significantly cut down the number of miscues. Since then, RU has averaged only 14.4 turnovers per contest.
Conversely, Rutgers opponents have committed 20 or miscues 11 of 15 games. Only defending national champion South Carolina, Virginia, Seton Hall and Princeton have turned the ball over less than 20 times.
HAULING GLASS
Rutgers managed to out haul James Madison on the boards in the season opener, 48-34, but in the next eight games, the Scarlet Knights were either outrebounded or held no more than a two board advantage.
That changed on Dec. 4 against Virginia as RU won the battle of the boards, 38-29. Since outhauling the Cavaliers by nine, Rutgers has won the battle of the boards in four of the last five contests including outhauling FDU by 30 (54-34) and Houston by 21 (53-32).
In recent games, redshirt junior forward Stasha Carey haa grabbed eight or more rebounds in seven of the last nine contests.
Also cleaning the glass lately has been junior forward Caitlin Jenkins, who in the last four games has averaged 9.8 rebounds per game.
UP NEXT
Rutgers opens up 2018 with two games at the RAC hosting Illinois on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. and Penn State on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 4:30 p.m..
Follow Rutgers women's basketball at www.ScarletKnights.com and (@RutgersWBB) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates.
- RU -
B1G ON THE ROAD
Rutgers wrapped up an eight-game homestand on Thursday afternoon with a 58-50 win over Purdue in the 2017-18 Big Ten opener and now hits the road for its first conference contest away from the RAC.
The Scarlet Knights take their eight-game win streak, RU's longest since winning six straight to end the 2014 season with the WNIT title and continuing with six-consecutive victories to kick off the 2014-15 campaign, to East Lansing, Michigan. RU will face the Michigan State Spartans, a team receiving votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Polls.
In Thursday's win over the Boilermakers, Rutgers was able to put away the game in the final two minutes of the contest. The fourth quarter endured two ties and three lead changes before redshirt senior guard Tyler Scaife's "and one" gave the Scarlet Knights control with 1:43 left to play.
Scaife finished with a game-high 23 points, her sixth-straight 20+ scoring game. Graduate student Nigia Greene came off the bench for 11 points, her highest scoring output as a Scarlet Knight, and went 3-of-3 from downtown.
Also in the victory, junior guard Khadaizha Sanders handed out nine assists, while junior forward Caitlin Jenkins grabbed nine boards.
ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE
Like the Scarlet Knights, the Spartans opened up Big Ten play on Thursday in the win column. Michigan State defeated Indiana on the road, 68-46, to extend its current win streak to six.
Michigan State, who is just above Rutgers in the receiving votes category of both major polls, welcomes the Scarlet Knights with an 11-3 overall mark.
Junior center Jenna Allen leads a trio of Spartan double figure scorers at 11.5 points per game along with a team-leading 5.6 rebounds per contest.
Following Allen on the stat sheet are redshirt senior guard Branndais Agee at 11.0 points per game and freshman forward Sidney Cooks at 10.4 points per outing.
Sophomore guard Taryn McCuthceon, meanwhile, is second in the Big Ten in assists dishing out the ball on average of 5.5 times per game.
The Spartans lead the Big Ten in rebounding margin, out-hauling opponents by an average of 10.8 rebounds per game.
Michigan State is also third in the conference behind league leader Rutgers and No. 14/15 Maryland in steals averaging 10.1 thefts per game.
STRINGER MILESTONE NUMBERS TO REMEMBER
Rutgers head coach Stringer has compiled a 990-392 career record in 47 seasons and is 10 wins away from joining the elite 1,000 career victories club in women's basketball.
SCAIFE MILESTONE NUMBERS TO REMEMBER
Tyler Scaife's game-high 24 points in 23 minutes against Princeton on Dec. 13 propelled the redshirt senior into third place on the Rutgers all-time scoring leader list past former teammate Kahleah Copper (2012-16).
In the next game on Dec. 16, Scaife's steal leading to behind the back bucket that was featured on ESPNW's Top Ten Plays of the Week, pushed her past the 1,900 career point mark.
After adding in 23 points against Purdue in the Big Ten opener, Scaife now has 1,931 career points and needs 61 points to become the third Scarlet Knight to collect 2,000 career points and 281 more to move into second place on the all-time list past Cappie Pondexter (2002-2006).
Scaife has scored 320 points this season and kicked off the 2017-18 campaign 10th all-time in scoring.
Scaife is also among the active leading scorers in Division I:
1. Kelsey Mitchell , Ohio St. 2,918
2. Katelynn Flaherty , Michigan 2,337
3. Jasmine Nwajei , Syracuse 2,118
4. Victoria Vivians , Mississippi St. 2,031
5. A'Ja Wilson , South Carolina 1,936
6. Tyler Scaife , Rutgers 1,931
7. Kolby Morgan , Tulane 1,918
8. Kahlia Lawrence , Mercer 1,910
9. Tyra Buss , Indiana 1,880
10. Carlie Wagner , Minnesota 1,857
GETTING THE POINTS
Rutgers is enjoying one of its highest scoring averages under C. Vivian Stringer's 23-year tenure "On the Banks"
Top RU Scoring Averages Under C. Vivian Stringer
1. 70.0 (35 games) 1998-99 – 29-6 – Elite Eight
2. 69.8 (15 games) 2017-18 - 13-2 - Current Season
3t. 68.7 (32 games) 2014-15 - 23-10 - 2nd Round
3t. 68.7 (32 games) 1997-98 – 22-10 – Sweet 16
5. 67.3 (29 games) 2002-03 – 21-8 – 2nd Round
6. 66.2 (37 games) 2013-14 – WNIT Champions
7. 65.6 (31 games) 2000-01 – 23-8 – 2nd Round
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
As a team, Rutgers appeared in the top 25 in eight categories including leading the nation in total steals (198) and seventh in steals per game (13.2).
Individually, redshirt senior guard Tyler Scaife is leads the nation in field goals made (126), is second in total points (320) and third in field goals attempted (257).
B1G SPEAKING
You can find Rutgers leading the Big Ten in scoring defense (54.7) and steals (13.2) and ranking second in 3-point field goal defense (.296) and turnover margin (+6.5).
Among conference peers, redshirt senior guard Tyler Scaife is fourth in scoring (21.3) and third in free throw percentage (.859). Redshirt sophomore guard Ciani Cryor is seventh in steals (2.2) and junior forward Caitlin Jenkins is tied for seventh in blocks (1.5).
D-D-D-DEFENSE
The defense has turned up the pressure this season and currently leads the Big Ten in scoring defense holding opponents to just 54.7 points per game. All 15 opponents to date have been held under their scoring average.
In five of the last six games, Rutgers has held opponents to 50 points or under with the opposition averaging just 46.7 during the span.
Avg. Entering Total Pts.
Team: Game w/ RU: vs. RU:
JMU 70.2 63
Temple 96.0 67
Charlotte 70.5 54
Wake Forest 71.7 51
So. Carolina 88.2 78
Wash, St. 69.7 64
Siena 67.3 63
NC State 71.9 53
Virginia 63.2 43
Seton Hall 81.1 45
FDU 63.0 35
Princeton 65.8 50
Houston 73.9 57
Purdue 68.8 50
HELPING HANDS
After committing 25 turnovers against James Madison in the season opener on Nov. 10, the Scarlet Knights have significantly cut down the number of miscues. Since then, RU has averaged only 14.4 turnovers per contest.
Conversely, Rutgers opponents have committed 20 or miscues 11 of 15 games. Only defending national champion South Carolina, Virginia, Seton Hall and Princeton have turned the ball over less than 20 times.
HAULING GLASS
Rutgers managed to out haul James Madison on the boards in the season opener, 48-34, but in the next eight games, the Scarlet Knights were either outrebounded or held no more than a two board advantage.
That changed on Dec. 4 against Virginia as RU won the battle of the boards, 38-29. Since outhauling the Cavaliers by nine, Rutgers has won the battle of the boards in four of the last five contests including outhauling FDU by 30 (54-34) and Houston by 21 (53-32).
In recent games, redshirt junior forward Stasha Carey haa grabbed eight or more rebounds in seven of the last nine contests.
Also cleaning the glass lately has been junior forward Caitlin Jenkins, who in the last four games has averaged 9.8 rebounds per game.
UP NEXT
Rutgers opens up 2018 with two games at the RAC hosting Illinois on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. and Penn State on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 4:30 p.m..
Follow Rutgers women's basketball at www.ScarletKnights.com and (@RutgersWBB) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest news and updates.
- RU -
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballWomen’s Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Lafayette
Saturday, December 20
Women’s Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Saint Peter’s
Sunday, November 30
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Northeastern
Saturday, November 29
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Siena
Tuesday, November 25
