PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Saint Joseph's women's basketball team dropped its season opening game at #24 Rutgers, 76-52, Friday evening at the Rutgers Athletic Center. The Hawks, who got a team-high 19 points from junior Ciara Andrews, were held to just 31 percent shooting.
Down just 30-24 at the half, Saint Joseph's came out aggressive in the second half as a jumper by junior Sarah Fairbanks and a free throw by Andrews made it a three-point game just over a minute in.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, Rutgers answered back with a 12-2 run to open a 42-29 edge on a layup by Kahleah Copper with 14:34 to go.
Saint Joseph's would cut the deficit back to 10, 42-32, on a free throw by senior Natasha Cloud, but it would get no closer as the Scarlet Knights outscored them 34-20 from there and 46-28 for the half.
In the first half, both teams battled for momentum in the opening minutes as it featured four lead changes and four tied scores. With the game knotted at 16-16, the Scarlet Knights opened an eight point lead over a four minute span. A pair of free throws by Tyler Scaife sparked a 10-2 run that gave Rutgers a 26-18 advantage with 4:53 to play. Saint Joseph's, which shot just 29 percent (9-of-31) in the first half, went 1-for-7 from the field and turned the ball over four times.
For the game, the Hawks shot 31.0 percent from the field (18-of-58), 28.6 percent from three-point range (4-of-14) and 54.5 percent from the foul line (12-of-22). At the other end, Rutgers connected on 30-of-64 field goals (46.9 percent), including an 18-for-29 second half (62.1 percent).
Andrews added six rebounds and an assist to go with her 19 points, while Fairbanks finished with 16 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot. An Atlantic 10 Preseason First Team honoree, Cloud picked up where she left of last year with 10 assists and added six rebounds and three points. Sophomore Kathleen Fitzpatrick had nine points in her first career start.
At the other end, Scaife led four Rutgers players in double figures with 23 points.
Saint Joseph's returns to action on Tuesday when it hosts Temple at 7 p.m.
GAME NOTES: Redshirt sophomore Jordan Strode returned to action after sitting out last season with an injury and added five points and two rebounds in a starting effort...Sophomore Jessica Pongonis had two rebounds in a start...Graduate student Ashley Robinson had five rebounds...Sophomore Mackenzie Rule had an offensive rebound...Rookies Adashia Franklyn and Chelsea Woods had two and one rebounds, respectively, while Franklyn added a blocked shot...Freshman Sarah Veilleux olayed three minutes in a reserve role...The Hawks are now 15-29 all-time versus Rutgers.
