 "Photo: Gloribelle Hernandez/Staff Photographer")
For the past few weeks, Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer has repeatedly stated that the Scarlet Knights needed a few days rest in order to revive a team in an effort to get it together for the remaining Big East schedule, as well as in preparation for the postseason.
That definitely seemed to be the case when the women took on Georgetown, playing one of their most balanced and spirited efforts thus far this season. The respite seemed particularly welcomed by junior guard Chelsea Newton.
Newton, who has played with an injured shoulder all season, capped an excellent all-around game in which she made all six of her shot attempts for 12 points by hitting the game winning shot with six seconds remaining in the game, giving the Scarlet Knights a 67-64 win.
With the score knotted at 64 and only 54 seconds remaining, senior center Shalicia Hurns missed a tough inside shot, but was able to get her own rebound and called a timeout. After the timeout, junior guard Cappie Pondexter dribbled up the court and passed the ball to senior guard Dawn McCullouch, who then swung it to Newton.
Newton then took the ball and, with 9.6 seconds remaining, put up a jumper from just past the free throw line that hit off the glass and went in.
Georgetown, following a timeout, threw away the ensuing inbounds pass and had to foul Pondexter. She would go on to make one-of-two free throws to make it a three-point lead. Hoyas' sophomore guard Carmen Bruce then put up a three-point attempt at the buzzer that was unable to even hit iron.
The win puts RU at 11-7 on the season and 3-3 in Big East play, while Georgetown falls to 9-8 and 3-4 in the Big East.
"I was just open and took the shot," Newton said. "I thought it was a bit hard, but I got the bank shot. ...Coach shortened practice and it helped us all heal."
The Knights dressed nine individuals for the game for the first time in a while, and used their depth to their advantage. Stringer had four players in double figures for scoring, with junior guard Cappie Pondexter leading the way with 17 points and sophomore forward Michelle Campbell chipping in 14 points.
In a game that went back and forth throughout, the Knights shot 59 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes. Pondexter, who shot 6-for-13 from the field, recorded 10 points before the break, helping her team lead by as many as ten points in the first half.
However, Georgetown's All-American senior forward, Rebekkah Brunson, was able to record six of her 19 points in the final 10 minutes of the first half to give the Hoyas the lead going into the half.
"Rebekkah is a great player, and it took all four of the post players to contain her," Hurns said. "We had to work together and came away with the win."
Although Brunson finished with her 10th double double of the season - finishing with a team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds - she was only able to shoot 8-of-18, and Rutgers was able to win the overall rebound battle and outscored the Hoyas in the paint, 28-24.
The second half went back and forth with neither team being able to put the other team away. The biggest lead of the half by either team was only four points, which occurred after consecutive three pointers by McCullouch to give RU the brief lead at 38-34.
Newton then went on a roll hitting four shots in the final 11 minutes including the game winner to finish perfect from the field.
Stringer and Company will now have an entire week to rest and prepare for a very pivotal Big East matchup against Miami who is ranked 18th in the country and boast a 15-1 record.
"We will try to heal our bodies and be sharp and ready to play," Stringer said.
KNIGHT NOTES: Junior guard Nikki Jett played for the first time in three games, scoring three points on 1-of-2 shooting in six minutes of action...Yesterday's game - Rutgers' 10th of the season - was the first in which the Knights trailed at the half. Rutgers raises its record to 10-0 at home thus far this season...The announced attendance of 4,011 is the highest amount to witness a Rutgers' home game through the first 10 games of the season.
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