Clemson Falls at #22 Rutgers in Women’s Basketball Saturday, 66-51

Dec. 18, 2004

Piscataway, NJ – Clemson’s bid for its fifth straight win fell short on Saturday, as #22 Rutgers downed the Lady Tigers 66-51 in women’s hoops action from the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Clemson fell to 5-5 with the loss, while Rutgers improved to 6-2 with the win.

Reggie Maddox scored 18 second-half points for Clemson, after being shut out in the opening period. Her 18 points marked a career-high. She hit 4-6 three-point shots and 6-12 overall. She also had three assists.

No other Lady Tiger scored in double figures, as Clemson struggled to 36.2 percent from the field. Clemson also committed 24 turnovers, compared to just 13 for Rutgers. The Lady Tigers did a good job limiting the Scarlet Knights’ outside shooters to 4-16, well below the season average of 40 percent entering the game.

Rutgers had three players in double figures, including Columbia, SC native Nikki Jett. She had 15 points and a game-high seven assists. Chelsea Newton was the game’s high scorer with 17 points, including 9-10 from the free throw line. Michelle Campbell, the leading scorer coming in for Rutgers, had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Clemson won the rebounding battle, 33-32. The Lady Tigers shot 11-14 from the foul line, but Rutgers attempted 27 free throws as Clemson was forced to foul down the stretch. Rutgers took advantage of the turnovers and outscored Clemson 26-10 in the points off turnovers category.

The Lady Tigers were close for the first 10 minutes of the game, as Rutgers held a slim 11-10 lead. The Scarlet Knights then put together a 14-3 run to gain a big advantage. Clemson cut the lead down to six late in the half when Tasha Taylor came of the bench to score four quick points. Clemson’s Julie Talley and Maddox were held scoreless in the first half.

In the second period, Clemson was able to hang around thanks to some big baskets by Maddox. She had 13 of the Lady Tigers’ first 17 points in the second half. Rutgers played an efficient second half, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and committing just six turnovers. For the first time this season, Talley was held without a single point. She was Clemson’s second-leading scorer coming into the ballgame.

The Lady Tigers travel to Tupelo, MS to take on the Ole Miss Rebels of the Southeastern Conference. The two teams are set to tip-off on Tuesday, December 21 at 6:00 PM (CST).