Rutgers falls to Illinois in the 2nd Round of the Big Ten Tournament 81-55. Photo: Rutgers Athletics.
ILLINOIS 81 – RUTGERS 55
Rutgers women’s basketball season came to an end Thursday at the hands of Illinois 81-55 in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament in Minneapolis.
Kaylene Smikle led scoring for Rutgers for the 20th time this season with 22 points. She also added five rebounds and one steal in addition to 13 free throws.
Chyna Cornwell also reached double-digit scoring with 14 points along five boards.
In the first half, Rutgers kept things close. They trailed by only six points (18-12) after the first quarter, and a jumper and a pair of free throws by Smikle brought the Scarlet Knights to within two points, but a jumper by Illionis Makira Cook jump-started an 11-0 run by the Illini, who never looked back.
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