Rutgers Women’s Basketball

Awa Sidibe of Rutgers women's basketball plays defense against Michigan. Photo: Rutgers Athletics.

MICHIGAN 71 – RUTGERS 53

After cutting down Michigan’s lead to just one point at halftime, Rutgers women’s basketball couldn’t slow down the Wolverines, who powered their way to a 71-53 win on Thursday night in Ann Arbor.

Kaylene Smikle led the way with 14 point, and scored her 500th career point in just 28 games. The milestone came when Smikle connected on a jumper at the end of the first half that cut Michigan’s lead to 27-26.

In the third quarter, Michigan used runs of 8-0 and 6-0 to jump to a double-digit lead of 47-36 and never looked back. After shooting 38 percent in the first half, Michigan shot 59 percent in the second half. Emily Kiser was unstoppable, leading all scorers with 34 points on 14-of-17 shooting.

Michigan is now 21-7 on the year, 11-6 in the Big Ten.

Rutgers falls to 11-18 on the year, 5-12 in the Big Ten. Only one game remains in the regular season on Sunday at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Rutgers is currently ranked 10th in the Big Ten.