St Josephs (Penn.) St.Joes(PA)/Rutgers Rutgers Women's College Basketball recap on ESPN

The Scarlet Knights held St. Joseph's scoreless for the first six minutes of the second half and to just 15 points the rest of the way in an 80-38 victory.

"We played exceptional defense tonight," Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer said. "We played excellent positional defense, communicated with each other and respected what St. Joseph's could do."

"We took away their drives, which they do very well, and that kept them off the foul line, where they lead the nation," she said.

Rutgers (7-1) went on a 9-0 run after St. Joseph's (4-5) scored the opening basket of the game. The Scarlet Knights gradually took a 12-point lead before the Hawks cut it to six at the half.

Rutgers then went on a 13-0 run to start the second half. The Scarlet Knights forced 19 St. Joseph's turnovers in the second half.

"This was a learning experience for us," St. Joseph's coach Stephanie Gaitley said. "We have played several good teams, but they can't match both the intensity and athleticism of Rutgers."

The Scarlet Knights entered the game fifth in the nation in defense, giving up just 53.0 points per game.

"The defense just flowed for us," guard Mauri Horton said. "We didn't hesitate in chasing the ball on the press and if we got the ball, we got the easy baskets or if we didn't, we hustled back and played our half-court defense."

Rutgers forced 25 turnovers while committing just seven, another statistic that pleased Stringer.

"We haven't had a game like that in a long time," she said. "It will certainly build our confidence playing like this."

Horton had 11 points and Davalyn Cunningham led Rutgers with 14. Kourtney Walton also had 11 and Karlita Washington and Tasha Pointer added 10 apiece.

Susan Moran scored 17 of her game-high 25 points in the first half for St. Joseph's.

ALSO SEE
Women's College Basketball Scoreboard

St Josephs (Penn.) Clubhouse

Rutgers Clubhouse