Rutgers Women Take Down Hofstra to Open Season

The Coquese Washington era is off to a flying start as the Rutgers Women's Basketball team opened the season with a resounding 73-68 victory over Hofstra.

Leading the way were Awe Sidibe and Kai Carter, both of whom contributed 16 points in the victory. Sidibe also contributed nine boards and four assists for her efforts Carter was 7-for-11 shooting with six assists.

Three other players (Abby Streeter, Erica Lafayette and Chyna Cornwell) all hit double-digits with each dropping 11 points.

Overall, Rutgers was impressive up and down the court. They shot 55 percent from the field and were 13-of-22 from the charity stripe. Defensively, Rutgers held Hofstra to just 36 percent shooting from the floor.

Trailing by as many as six points in the second quarter, Rutgers put together a 16-3 run over a span of seven-and-a-half minutes to take a 33-26 lead with 2:10 to go before halftime. Abby streeter's three-pointer with 8:01 to go in the first half, cut Rutgers deficit down to a single point at 23-22. After Rutgers tied it at the line, they took the lead when Freshman Kaylene Smikle connected on a jumper to put RU up 25-23.

Minutes later, Kai carter's jump shot would give Rutgers its largest lead of the half at 33-26.

Rutgers came out on fire in the second half, storming out to an 11-2 run, highlighted by Streeter's three-pointer that gave the Scarlet Knights their largest lead of the day at 13-points, 45-32.

That lead would get widdled down to a single point, 52-51 going into the fourth quarter, before Brandy Thomas nailed a three-ball for Hofstra to put the Pride up 54-52 with 8:48 remaining in regulation.

Rutgers would tie it at 57 when Streeter nailed another three for Rutgers, and Kai Carter answered with another jumper to put Rutgers back in front 59-57. After Hofstra tied it at 59, Smikle hit her biggest shot of her young career, nailing a three near the top of the key to give RU a 62-59 lead with 5:27 to go. Rutgers would never trail again.

Kai Carter had a huge afternoon dishing out 16-points for Rutgers.

Rutgers (1-0) will host intra-state rival Seton Hall on November 11 at 7 p.m. from Jersey Mike's Arena.