PISCATAWAY, N.J. – A late surge led Rutgers women's basketball (2-0) over Quinnipiac (1-1) on Thursday night, 64-55.
Nene Ndiaye had a career night in her second game for the Scarlet Knights, netting a game-high 23 points in addition to recording nine rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Kaylah Ivey (19) and Zachara Perkins (10) also reached double digits while Imani Lester brought in nine rebounds to match Ndiaye's game best.
Quinnipiac led for the majority of the contest (24:08) in a contest that featured eight lead changes and five ties. However, once the Scarlet Knights regained the lead with a Lester layup at the fourth quarter's 4:18 mark, they did not let it go to hold on for their second win of the season.
How it Happened
- Rutgers got out to a quick 4-0 lead thanks to baskets from Nene Ndiaye and Kaylah Ivey. Quinnipiac kept it close though with five points between a bucket from Imani Lester, 6-5.
- Ivey added her first three of the game, and Zachara Perkins chipped in two free throws to spread the gap, 11-5, with just over six minutes to play.
- Before the 4:38 media timeout, Perkins recorded a field goal and the Bobcats added one more score to make it 13-7.
- Out of the break, Quinnipiac scored five in a row to put the game within one point, 13-12.
- The opposition continued a 10-0 run to take the 18-13 lead into the second quarter.
- The Bobcats hit another three-pointer to start the second, but Ivey put an end to the stretch with a jumper and made it a four-point difference, 21-17.
- At the 6:38 mark, Antonia Bates found Nene Ndiaye in the corner for a triple and put the contest within one point once again, 21-20.
- However, Quinnipiac scored another deep shot, but Ivey contributed a free throw to keep it within two, 23-21. The score would stay at the 4:34 media stoppage.
- Nene Ndiaye tied the score out of the break with a jumper. She followed up with a shot from the charity stripe to give RU back the one-point lead.
- The teams continued to go back and forth, as the Bobcats recorded the last four points of the period to take the 27-24 edge into the locker room.
- Nene Ndiaye came out on the offensive to start the third but Quinnipiac matched the points to keep the space, 29-26.
- Nene Ndiaye kept it up however, with four free throws to put the Scarlet Knights back in control, 30-29.
- Quinnipiac did not retreat though, netting seven points in a row to take the advantage back, 36-30, with just under six minutes to play.
- Nene Ndiaye broke up the scoring with a driving layup and Ivey followed up with a three to put the score back within three.
- Nene Ndiaye scored eight of the team's 11 points as of the 4:06 media timeout.
- Janae Walker cashed in on a free throw out of the stop in play, but the opponent matched the basket at the line to stay three points apart.
- Walker kept the momentum going with a layup, but the Bobcats had the answer again, matching the layup and adding a three to keep the 44-38 edge heading into the final 10 minutes.
- RU started off the fourth quarter outscoring Quinnipiac 5-1, to cut the deficit, 45-43. The Bobcats were then charged with a turnover, forcing them to call their first timeout with 6:44 remaining.
- Following the 6:44 media timeout, Lester netted a free throw and followed up with a layup to put RU up, 46-45.
- Quinnipiac came back with a layup but so did Zachara Perkins just before the 4:44 media stoppage and kept Rutgers on top, 48-47.
- The opponent tied it up at the free throw line, but the Scarlet Knights stayed hungry. Lester came up clutch with a big three-point play followed by another big three-pointer from Ivey to put their team ahead, 54-48.
- Rutgers used the energy to continue an explosive 11-2 run and take a nine-point advantage.
- In the final minute of play, RU made five shots at the line. Quinnipiac battled to the end though, scoring a final three-pointer and a layup but the late serge for Rutgers put them over the top for the 64-55 victory.
Gallery: (11-6-2025) WBB vs. Quinnipiac
Knights Notes
- Nene Ndiaye recorded several career highs against the Bobcats including 23 points 23, nine rebounds and eight free throws.
- Lester reset her career best in rebounds with nine grabs off the glass on Thursday. She previously set it in the season opener against Wagner (Nov. 3) with eight boards.
- Ivey recorded three shots from deep and leads the team with five threes.
- Janae Walker earned her second career start and first for the Scarlet Knights against the Bobcats
- Walker led the team with a career high four assists, blowing away her previous best of one helper which she hit four times.
- The Scarlet Knights ended on top in rebounds for the second consecutive contest, 40-30.
- The Scarlet Knights held Quinnipiac to just nine points in the second quarter. The Scarlet Knights have now held opponents to singlee digits in three periods so far this season.
- This is the third season in a row Rutgers has started 2-0.
- The Scarlet Knights are undefeated in the all-time series against Quinnipiac with two wins in two meetings.
Volume Up
Next Up
Rutgers will continue its homestand against Stony Brook on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m.
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