Rutgers University
9-15,1-12Big Ten
Minnesota
18-6,9-4Big Ten
Women's Basketball Drops Hard-Fought Decision to RV/RV Minnesota
Feb 08 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's basketball team (9-15, 1-12 B1G) fought hard, but fell to RV/RV Minnesota (18-6, 9-4 B1G), 63-52, at Jersey Mike's Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The contest was extremely close through the first three quarters, featuring seven lead changes and five ties.
Nene Ndiaye tied her career best with 26 points and set new highs with 10 field goals and five three-pointers. Zachara Perkins also netted a season best 18 points.
Nothing new for Nene 🎯#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/nTqoJre3op
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) February 8, 2026
How it Happened
- Janae Walker and Nene Ndiaye combined for five points to give Rutgers an early 5-1 lead through the first half of the opening quarter.
- Minnesota strung together four points before a big 5-0 run by the Scarlet Knights to stay in front, 10-5 with 2:25 to play.
- The two teams traded baskets until the end of the quarter to come out tied, 12-12.
- The Gophers struck first in the second period, but RU responded with back-to-back scores to stay ahead by two. However, the opposition followed up with consecutive buckets to regain the lead and force a Rutgers timeout with 6:10 to go, 18-16.
- The teams continued to go back and forth as Nene Ndiaye hit her second three of the game, but Minnesota cashed in on a free throw to tie the contest back at 19-all.
- Nene Ndiaye wasn't done though, hitting two more three-pointers to give her team a 25-19 advantage as the Gophers used a timeout with 1:33 on the clock.
👌 IN A ROW.
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) February 8, 2026
📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/EZ6thdV61r#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/SlNhHjle5Z
- The opposition hit a deep shot of their own before halftime to reduce the gap, 25-22, going into the locker room.
- Each team traded two buckets to start the second half and keep the five-point difference.
- However, Minnesota netted a layup and a three to take the slight 31-29 lead.
- But RU did not stand down, as Perkins recorded a contested layup to once again tie the game at 31.
Zachara Perkins doing her thing 🤩
— Rutgers Women's Basketball (@RutgersWBB) February 8, 2026
📺 B1G+
📊 https://t.co/EZ6thdV61r#GoRU | #RUWBB | #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/qyAxlYg4tg
- Each team added two points, but the Gophers added back-to-back threes, around a jumper from Lauryn Swann, to stay ahead by four points. The opponent added a layup to go ahead, 41-35, with just under two minutes to go.
- Both teams finished the third quarter with free throws, but Minnesota stayed in control, 45-37.
- The teams once again traded points to start the final 10 minutes. Perkins did add a three in the mix to lessen the difference by one, making it 51-44 with 7:20 on the clock.
- Rutgers outscored the opponent 6-4 until the 4:58 media timeout, thanks to Nene Ndiaye's fifth three-pointer of the day, to make it a five-point game, 55-50.
- The Gopher hit four free throws out of the pause to extend their advantage, 59-50, before a Rutgers timeout at 2:25.
- Perkins netted a layup after the break, but the visiting team matched the points at the line.
- Perkins recorded one more layup before Minnesota sealed the deal with three two more shots at the line and a layup to solidify the 63-52 victory.
Knights Notes
- Nene Ndiaye matched her career high with 26 points, scoring 18 out of 25 total points in the first half. She has reached 10+ points 17 times.
- Ndiaye hit a career best five three-pointers and 10 field goals versus Minnesota.
- Antonia Bates and Janae Walker paced RU with 6 rebounds. Bates has led the team off the boards nine times this season, including the last five games.
- Zachara Perkins netted 18 points to set a new season high. She has reached double figures in 14 games, including the last five outings.
- Zachara Perkins dished out 5 assists to pace Rutgers and set a season best.
- The Scarlet Knights won the second quarter, 13-10.
Next Up
Rutgers will hit the road once again to face Purdue on Feb. 14 (12 p.m.) and R/RV Illinois on Feb. 17 (7 p.m. ET)
Follow Along
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Twitter and Instagram (@RutgersWBB) for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersWBB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter(@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
