Dominique Smith buried a three pointer to take the lead over Rutgers University making the score 13-10 with 10:14 left in the first half, forcing Coach C. Vivian Stringer to call a 20 second timeout.
The first half in the Prairie View A&M University vs. Rutgers University match-up was a back and forth battle throughout with the Lady Panthers allowing RU only 19 points, bringing the score to 20-19, with Prairie View up at half time.
Early in the second half RU led the Lady Panthers 28-25 with 15:44 on the game clock. Prairie View would tally 10 of the game’s next 13 points to pull ahead by four 35-31 with 9:18 to go in the game. The Panthers fought hard but were unable to produce enough offense allowing RU their first win after trailing after half time this year.
Dominique Smith and Latara Darrett led the way for the Lady Panthers both scoring 15 points apiece. Darrett also contributed six rebounds and two assists. Senior Gaati Werema pulled down a team high of eight rebounds while scoring six points.
Rutgers has out-rebounded six of their last eight opponents. After grabbing more boards than the other team in five straight games, the Scarlet Knights lost the battle of the boards against Princeton and Florida. Against PVAMU, the Lady Panthers pulled down 37 boards to there 27. The 27 boards was the lowest total by a RU opponent all season. The Scarlet Knights dominated the Lady Panthers in the paint, outscoring the team 24-12.
After not scoring for the last 3:27 of the first half and the first 2:43 of the second, the Scarlet Knights went on a 9-0 run, led by Monique Oliver with four points. The run gave RU a 28-25 lead with 15:44 to go in the game. Tied 43-43, RU went on an 8-2 run led by Ray and Lee with four each to end the game. Rutgers’ defense did not allow PVAMU a field goal for the last 6:26 of the contest.
PVAMU moves to 0-2 all-times against Rutgers University, losing two-straight contests against the Scarlet Knights.
The Lady Panthers are back in action on Monday, Dec. 28, in their final non-conference game of the season facing Texas A&M University. Prairie View will travel to College Station for a 4 p.m. tip-off.