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The Rutgers women’s basketball team suffered a 60-46 defeat to Minnesota (15-7; 4-7) on Sunday afternoon in a game they struggled shooting in all phases of the game. While they held a 7 point lead in the third quarter, the Golden Gophers surged ahead behind a 13-2 run and never looked back. It was a five point game with less than six minutes to play, but Minnesota finished the game on a 15-6 run.
The Scarlet Knights shot only 35.7% from the floor, including just 3 of 19 from three-point range (15.8%) and 5 of 10 from the free throw line. The Gophers struggled early from the field, but shot 44% in the second half and converted 16 of 17 attempts from the free throw line in the second half. Minnesota dominated Rutgers on the boards (44-31) and despite holding a -2 turnover margin, they held a 20-13 in points off of turnovers. They also had a 13-5 advantage in fast break points.
Stasha Carey led the way for Rutgers, scoring 16 points on 7 of 12 shooting while also adding 4 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocked shots. No other Scarlet Knight player scored in double figures. However, Tekia Mack played well, posting a line of 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals.
Heralded freshman Zippy Broughton also delivered a stat line of 8 points on 3 of 7 shooting and added 3 rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
Rutgers (17-5; 9-2) dropped in Monday’s AP Poll three spots to no. 20, but the more pressing issue is they are now in a first place tie with No. 10 Maryland (19-2; 8-2). They’ll have a full week to prepare for the Terps, who come to the RAC this Sunday for a 2 p.m. tip-off looking avenge an earlier loss to Rutgers on their homecourt on New Year’s Eve. With Iowa one back back at 7-3 and in third place, the winner of this game will have sole possession of first place in the Big Ten with about a third of the conference schedule remaining. Rutgers is undefeated at 11-0 at the RAC this season, but will be put to the test against Maryland.
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