Rutgers Women’s Hoops Earns 1000th Victory in Program History

It was a historic night for Rutgers women's basketball. Not only did the Scarlet Knights storm back to beat Big Ten rival Minnesota 65-59, but the victory marked the 1,000 victory in program history and was the 100th career win for head coach Coquese Washington.

After trailing for much of the evening, Rutgers stormed back late in the third quarter -- thanks to an 8-0 run that cut the Minnesota lead down to a single point 40-39. About a minute later Kaylene Smikle knotted the game up at 41 with a jumper with 1:15 to go in the third quarter.

After a steal by Awa Sidibe, Smikle put Rutgers in front connecting on another jump shot, this one with 43 seconds left in the period.

A back-and-fourth quarter saw Rutgers finally regain control late, when Sidibe put the Scarlet Knights back in front with a layup.

Kai Carter added two shots from the line while the Gophers went 1-for-2 to keep the RU up, 58-57. Out of Rutgers's third timeout, Smikle added a layup to extend the team's lead to three, 60-57.

After Minnesota called its third timeout, the opposition hit a free throw to cut the difference back to two points. Sidibe and Carter combined for three points at the line to make it a two-possession game, 63-58.