Smikle Sets New Career Best, Rutgers Falls to Maryland
MARYLAND 78 – RUTGERS 67 A valiant fourth quarter comeback by Rutgers was not enough as Maryland held on to beat the Scarlet Knights 78-67 in Big Ten play in…
Rutgers women’s basketball freshman Kaylene Smikle had a career best 29-points in a loss to Maryland on Monday, January 2, 2023. Photo Rutgers Athletics.
MARYLAND 78 - RUTGERS 67
A valiant fourth quarter comeback by Rutgers was not enough as Maryland held on to beat the Scarlet Knights 78-67 in Big Ten play in the first women's college basketball game of the 2023 calendar year. Rutgers drops to 6-10 on the season and 0-4 in the Big Ten.
Kaylene Smikle led all scorers with 29 points for Rutgers, a new career high for the freshman who has been outstanding all season long. Smikle has scored 20-plus points in six games this season. Her previous high of 26 points she notched just three weeks ago on December 15.
Smikle dominated the glass, shooting 11-of-21 from the field, including nailing 4-of-8 from downtown. Seven of her 29 points came in the fourth quarter alone.
Rutgers entered the fourth quarter trailing Maryland by 25 points, 69-44 before storming back late in the quarter, narrowing the deficit down to 11-points by the time Smikle connected on the final free throw of the game.
Kassondra Brown was second in scoring for Rutgers, knocking down 5-of-7 shots for 12 points. Chyna Cornwell had eight points on Monday afternoon.
Rutgers looks for its first Big Ten win of the year on Saturday when they play host to Nebraska at 2 p.m.
