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Coming off their impressive sweep at the Paradise Jam Tournament, the Scarlet Knights had a tough B1G/ACC face-off against #13 Florida State. Traveling to Tallahassee, Rutgers put their four game winning streak on the line against FSU's own five game streak.
Rutgers found themselves in a familiar hole leading off their first quarter, as they fell to an 8-0 deficit, before ultimately ending the first quarter down 19-4. Despite a strong 10-6 run to begin the second quarter, Rutgers was never able to close the gap in the first half, as they went into halftime down 34-16.
Rutgers would go on short runs throughout the second half, fueled by Ariel Butts, Victoria Harris, and later Cynthia Hernandez. However, they were never able to pull the game within reach, finally succumbing to a 65-43 loss.
FINAL SCORE: FSU 65, #RHoops 43 - RU: Scaife 10 pts, Copper & Butts 9 pts | FSU: Romero 18 pts, Thomas 15 pts, Slaughter 10 pts
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) December 4, 2015
Tyler Scaife, who led the Scarlet Knights with 10 points, was the lone Rutgers player in double digits. Kahleah Copper finished with just 9 points, snapping her streak of 18 consecutive games with at least 10 points.
RECAP: #RHoops Falls to No. 13/14 Florida State in B1G/ACC Challenge - https://t.co/TLNxwyCfkU pic.twitter.com/xc7qzlMLVg
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) December 4, 2015
On Sunday, Rutgers began a five game homestand returning to Piscataway to take on Arkansas. Once again, the Scarlet Knights fell behind early, finding themselves in a 5-0 hole to start off the first quarter. Scaife, who has been providing Rutgers with some timely offense as of late, led the charge in Rutgers' ensuing 6-0 run. Rutgers went on timely runs throughout the first half, including a 10-0 run to bring them to their largest lead of the first half at 28-11 with three minutes before the half.
Copper scored 7 straight points at the end of the third quarter to give Rutgers a 47-28 lead. Then, sharp-shooter Hernandez drained a three to give the Scarlet Knights their largest lead of the game, 52-28. After their slow start, Rutgers maintained control throughout the rest of the game, and won decisively, 60-40, improving their record to 6-3.
.@RVisionRU @RutgersWBB Defeats Arkansas 60-40 https://t.co/b1pWpB9bEQ
— RU Women's Hoops (@RutgersWBB) December 6, 2015
All time Rutgers Hoops wins leader C. Vivian Stringer spoke with Student U after the @RutgersWBB W over Arkansas https://t.co/DmiJdpYrHq
— BTN Student U (@BTNStudentU) December 6, 2015
A Look Ahead
Tomorrow night at 7pm, Rutgers will continue their homestand with a game against Iona. The Gaels come in on a two-game winning streak, after having beat Rider and Fairfield. In order to defeat Iona, Rutgers will need to slow down Joy Adams, a senior forward and two-time All-MAAC First Team selection and former MAAC Rookie of the Year. It should be a good showdown, but I believe Rutgers will win this one decisively, especially on their home court.