 "Photo: William Schneekloth/Targum Associate Photography Editor")
TRENTON - Rutgers head coach C. Vivian Stringer said without the home-crowd advantage last Sunday night, career win number 749 would not have come. Last night, it looked as if the Scarlet Knights (27-4) were going to get her win number 750 no matter where they played.
Third-seeded Rutgers heated up from the floor in its first game of the spring, shooting 55 percent en route to scorching 11th seed TCU (19-12) with a season-high in total points, 82-48.
But for Stringer it wasn't about the numbers. She was happier instead to share the win, and a trip to the Sweet 16, with her players.
"They are really just special young ladies," Stringer said. "They're daughters. They're great daughters. It felt good today. It felt good to see them smile."
While offense was all the rage last night, Rutgers, the No. 1 defensive team in the nation (allowing 51.0 ppg.) switched up its look in protecting the basket. For the first time all year, RU went to Stringers' specialty - a zone defense.
The change was spurred on by Matee Ajavon getting called for two quick fouls to start the game. To protect her from further trouble, Stringer went to the zone and moved forward Michelle Campbell up top.
TCU guard Natasha Lacy, the Horned Frogs leading scorer (14.1 ppg.), missed her second straight game last night due to personal reasons. She is also the program's all-time assists leader.
Ashley Davis led the team in its opening-round win with 20 points, but Rutgers held the guard to just 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting last night.
Sovereign Bank Arena had some technical problems with its shot clock last night. After several stoppages of play, officials resumed the game with 11:31 in the first half. But the clock would not display digits until the 20-second mark, at which point the public announcer said '20 seconds" every possession over the PA system. The problem was resolved for the second half.
After over 300 minutes of playing time this season, Rutgers senior guard Courtney Locke made her first trip to the foul line this year with 1:16 left to play. She made both her shots.
The win sets up a showdown with the Tennessee Volunteers and freshman sensation Candace Parker. Parker recently gave herself, and the women's game, national recognition this past weekend when she became the first woman to dunk in the NCAA Tournament - and she did it twice.
Rutgers senior guard Cappie Pondexter, with zero career dunks, offered her thoughts.
"I think it's great for women's basketball," Pondexter said. "I think it's great for the fans. I think it's great for her just to have the ability to do it. I have nothing but praise to her for doing that."
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