Women's Basketball Resumes In-State Rivalry With Rutgers
1/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Seton Hall looks to snap a three-game losing streak today when in-state rival Rutgers visits Walsh Gymnasium. The Pirates dropped a 63-41 decision a year ago to the Scarlet Knights in New Brunswick, their fifth straight loss in the series. Monique Blake led SHU with 15 points.
Seton Hall fell to 9-6 overall and 1-3 in the BIG EAST on Jan. 9 when the No. 7/5 Connecticut Huskies defended their home court with a 106-58 win. Junior Amber Harris led the Pirates with 11 points and eight rebounds, both season-highs. Blake added nine while sophomore Noteisha Womack scored eight.
The Pirates are led by Blake, who leads the team in scoring (11.9 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg). Blake scored in double-figures in eight straight games at one point and has posted five double-doubles on the season.
Seton Hall has a perfect 9-0 record when holding teams to 55 points or less. The Pirates have allowed only three opponents to score more than 70 points, while also holding two below 50.
The Scarlet Knights have won three straight, all coming in BIG EAST play. After defeating St. John’s for its lone road win of the season, Rutgers returned home for blowout wins over Pittsburgh and South Florida.
Freshman guard Epiphanny Prince leads the Scarlet Knights with 16.1 ppg and 3.5 apg. Three others are also averaging double-digit points - sophomore center Kia Vaughn (14.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg), junior guard Essence Carson (10.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg) and junior guard Matee Ajavon (10.0 ppg).
Head coach C. Vivian Stringer, in her 12th year at Rutgers, has guided the Scarlet Knights to back-to-back BIG EAST regular season titles. Rutgers was eliminated by Tennessee in the NCAA Cleveland Regional Final a year ago, 76-69.
