Jan. 30, 2010
Box Score
Photo Gallery
WASHINGTON-Ta'Shauna "Sugar" Rodgers (Suffolk, Va./King's Fork) scored 27 and the No. 17/15 Georgetown University women's basketball squad (18-3, 7-1 BIG EAST) rolled past the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights (12-9, 4-3 BIG EAST) by a score of 59-50 Saturday afternoon at McDonough Arena. The win marked the first time under Head Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy that the Hoyas have defeated the Scarlet Knights and Georgetown's 17th win in its last 18 games.
"We've played them close in the past," said Williams-Flournoy. "Last year we took them to double overtime and this year we were able to win, but they are a talented and well-coached team that knows how to win so I'm happy with today's outcome."
Rutgers led off of the tip but soon the Hoya defense was rolling as GU took the lead at 8:17 off of a three-point play from Rodgers. Georgetown managed to hold on to the advantage but couldn't take a commanding lead as the Scarlet Knights seemed to have an answer for every Hoya basket.
Late in the first, Monique Oliver laid in a bucket with six seconds remaining to give GU a five-point lead at the break, 21-16. The 16 points tied the lowest first-half total the Hoyas had held an opponent to this season. Georgetown allowed both Seattle and Southwest Baptist 16 points in the first half.
Rodgers led the Hoyas in the first with nine points while Shanice Fuller (Chesapeake, Va./Indian River) added four as the Hoyas boasted a balanced attack. Jaleesa Butler (St. Louis, Mo./Alton) posted a team-high seven rebounds, Rodgers had four as well as one steal. Georgetown forced 13 Rutgers turnovers but struggled from the field shooting 20.6 percent. The Hoyas outrebounded the Scarlet Knights 29-15. Khadijah Rushdan led Rutgers with ten points in the half.
The second half was a different story for the Hoyas who found their stroke shooting 55 percent from the field. Rodgers opened the half with a trey but Rutgers came right back to pull the advantage to five. An 8-0 run at the ten-minute mark opened the game as Rodgers connected on back-to-back three's pulling the lead to 18 points.
From that point on, Rutgers fought to get back in the game but couldn't overcome the advantage. Even late turnovers due to the Scarlet Knight press didn't slow the Hoyas who rolled to the 59-50 victory.
Rodgers led all scorers with 27 points, just two shy of her career-high. She also added five rebounds and three steals on the afternoon. Rubylee Wright (Latta, S.C./Latta) had eight points and Butler contributed a team-high eight rebounds. For the first time all season, GU had more turnovers that its opponent with 25, but forced 24 on the defensive end. Georgetown outrebounded Rutgers 43-37 and shot 33.3 percent from the field.
"Sugar is a player with a lot of confidence and poise," said junior captain Monica McNutt (Suitland, Md./Academy of the Holy Cross). "Even though she's a freshman, she knows the game and has started to be more vocal on the court."
Georgetown will have just two days off before hosting the St. John's Red Storm on Tuesday at McDonough Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. and live stats as well as a webcast featuring Drew Wiseman will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.
