Rutgers & Big Ten Women’s Basketball: a quick spin around the court

If you have some bright spots in a loss to the No. 3 team in the country, is that good?

If you’re a team struggling for wins and you’re down just four points at the half to that team, is that good?

Back in December, our Aaron Breitman questioned what exactly was going on with Head Coach C. Vivian Stringer. A short-handed squad, a red-shirted star, rough comments about her team. But it was all still Stringer. The team was 2-7 when that post published. Since that point in early December, it hasn’t been a bed of roses, but the team has gone 4-8 (3-5 B1G) and has played better. Yes, I’m looking at a close loss on the road to Maryland.

Against the Terps, Jazlynd Rollins set a new career-high of 15 points, going 6-of-6 from the floor in the first half. She was 3-of-3 from 3-point range. Shrita Parker led Rutgers in scoring for the 10th time this season with 19 points.

Rutgers Upcoming Schedule

The Knights get a week to rest and prep before hosting Northwestern next Sunday afternoon. This is the first of two meetings with the Wildcats, the second being in late February in Evanston. So far the Cats have lost to everyone in the conference they’re supposed to lose to: Maryland (96-65) and Ohio State (94-87). They travel to Ann Arbor to take on third place Michigan on Wednesday.

And of special note, two women’s championship teams will be honored at the game against Chicago’s Big Ten Team. RU’s AIAW 1982 National Championship team - and, yes, that is a very big deal - along with its 1987 Atlantic 10 Championship team will be honored at halftime.

Around the Big Ten

Big Ten Standings

Big Ten Co-Players of the Week

Brionna Jones, Maryland, C – Sr.

• Averaged 18.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game with a .708 field-goal percentage and two double-doubles in Maryland’s two Big Ten wins last week

• Registered 25 points on 12-of-16 shooting and added a game-high 10 rebounds and three blocks on Thursday night in the Terrapins’ victory over Michigan

• Chipped in 11 points and a game-high 13 rebounds on Sunday in Maryland’s win over Rutgers, recording her 10^th consecutive double-double

• Leads the Big Ten and ranks among the top five nationally in field-goal percentage (.687) and double-doubles (14) this season

Kelsey Mitchell, Ohio State, G – Jr.

• Averaged 23.0 points and 5.0 assists per game with a .484 field-goal percentage and .429 three-point percentage in Ohio State’s two conference victories last week

• Posted game highs of 24 points and four assists on Thursday in the Buckeyes’ home win over Wisconsin

• Tallied a game-high 22 points, including 6-of-12 three-pointers, and dished out a game-best six assists Sunday afternoon in OSU’s victory over visiting Illinois

• Leads the Big Ten and ranks among the top five nationally in scoring (22.7 ppg.)

• Has 2,262 career points, putting her 23 points away from catching former Minnesota standout Lindsay Whalen for 10^th place on the Big Ten’s all-time scoring list

Freshman of the Week

Kaila Charles, Maryland, G

• Averaged 17.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game with a .650 field-goal percentage for Maryland in a pair of Big Ten wins last week

• Collected 16 points and six rebounds in Thursday’s home win against Michigan

• Tied her career high with 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds in Sunday afternoon’s victory over visiting Rutgers