Davidson Drops a 66-35 Decision to Rutgers at Belk Arena

Wednesday, December 4

Davidson, N.C.

7:00 p.m.

Davidson College

3-6

Rutgers

6-2

Rutgers

Davidson

Freshman Rachel Piles had a season-best eight rebounds off the bench.

Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com

Davidson Drops a 66-35 Decision to Rutgers at Belk Arena

12/4/2013 9:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Gavin McFarlin - Assistant SID

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DAVIDSON, N.C. — Davidson was unable to break out of a game-long shooting slump and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights pulled away in taking a 66-35 decision Wednesday evening in women's basketball at John M. Belk Arena.

Both teams were playing for the second straight year, with Davidson nearly knocking off Rutgers last year on the road before falling 55-49.

The Wildcats (3-6) were never able to get going, shooting just 21.1 percent on the evening and hitting just 10-for-24 at the free throw line, both season lows.

Laura Murray was the lone 'Cat to reach double figures, scoring 15 points with 11 of those coming in the first half. Rachel Piles had a nice game off the bench, hauling in a season-high eight rebounds to go with six points.

Rutgers (6-2) put four in double digits, with Betnijah Laney registering a double-double on 15 points and 11 rebounds. First-year player Tyler Scaife had a game-high 16 points and Kahleah Copper added 11.

The Scarlet Knights finished the game shooting 45.2 percent and held a 56-38 edge on the glass. They used a 15-1 run in the first eight minutes of the second half to push a 32-21 halftime lead to a commanding 47-22 advantage. The lead grew to as much as 31 in the final minute of the game.

Davidson opened the game with a 5-1 lead on a three-ball by Murray and hung tough despite Rutgers grabbing the lead later on a 19-1 run that made it 30-15 with 2:36 on the clock.

A Murray three-point play followed by Hannah Early's put-back on an offensive rebound brought the Wildcats to within 30-21, before Scarlet Knights' Ariel Butts hit a layup to make it 32-21 at the break.

Davidson plays its third game of a six-game homestand Saturday, opening Southern Conference play by hosting Wofford at 2:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Wildcats are in the midst of playing three games in a six-day span … Murray has scored in double figures in all nine Wildcat games this year and has done it 76 times overall in her career … Davidson's defense forced 23 Rutgers' turnovers, but could only score 11 points off those miscues … the Wildcats' 16 offensive rebounds were a season-high.