Women's Basketball: Rutgers Too Much for WVU
January 30, 2005 02:27 PM | General
January 30, 2005
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Michelle Campbell scored 20 points and Cappie Pondexter came off the bench to contribute 16 to lead No. 8-ranked Rutgers to a 70-49 victory over West Virginia Sunday afternoon in Piscataway.
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| Rutgers' Nikki Jett (13) looks to steal the ball away from West Virginia's Yolanda Paige (12) in the first half of their game in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday Jan. 30, 2005. Rutgers won 70-49.
AP Photo/Chris Barth |
Rutgers, ranked fourth in the country in points allowed giving up an average of 51.5 points per game, forced West Virginia into committing 29 turnovers, took 25 more shots and held the Mountaineers scoreless for more than 12 minutes in the first half.
After freshman Olayinka Sanni began the game with a basket for West Virginia, the Mountaineers didn’t get their second field goal until 6:57 remaining in the half when Meg Bulger hit a running jumper. In the meantime, Rutgers built a 21-2 advantage before West Virginia was able go on a 15-4 run to cut the Scarlet Knights’ lead to eight, 25-17, following a Yolanda Paige three-point basket.
Rutgers closed out the half with a 6-3 run to lead by 11, 31-20, at the break.
West Virginia was able to cut Rutgers’ lead to 10, 39-29, on a Sherell Sowho jumper before Bulger was called for her fourth foul with 12:27 to go trying to drive to the basket.
Rutgers was able to take advantage of West Virginia with Bulger out of the game, building its lead to 18, 47-29, on a Campbell basket in the paint.
The Mountaineers made one more run to cut Rutgers’ lead to 11, 50-39, after a Bulger three, but the Knights used an 11-2 run to push its lead out to 20, 61-41, and force West Virginia coach Mike Carey to call a timeout with 4:51 remaining.
Essence Carson added 13 points for Rutgers, now 15-4, 6-1.
Meg Bulger led West Virginia (12-7, 3-5) with 19 points on seven of 12 shooting. Bulger made all three of her three-point field goal tries.
Yolanda Paige added 13 points but was limited to just three assists and committed seven turnovers.
The Mountaineers have a week off before traveling to Georgetown to face the Hoyas Saturday (Feb. 5) at 2 pm. The Hoyas are 7-12 under first-year coach Terri Williams-Flouroy. Georgetown is coming off a 57-point victory against Providence and faces Syracuse Wednesday night before playing West Virginia.
