Updated BIG EAST Notes
Rutgers (7-3) remained unbeaten at home following a 42-34 victory over No. 21/23 Miami (Fla.) on Sunday. The Scarlet Knights are 5-0 at the RAC this year and are one of five BIG EAST teams without a loss on their home court along with UConn (4-0), Syracuse (4-0), Villanova (3-0), Georgetown (3-0).
Rutgers senior Monique Oliver scored 13 points and helped hold Miami to its worst shooting performance of the season at 19.1 percent (9-of-47) from the field. The Hurricanes had just four field goals in the first half. The Scarlet Knights have held their last four opponents to a combined 27.5 percent (55-of-200) shooting.
Across the river in New York, St. John’s (5-4) lost to No. 14/17 UCLA on a layup in the closing seconds of overtime. Bruins reserve Jasmine Dixon accounted for the gamewinner and finished with nine points in 25 minutes off the bench. Senior guard Shenneika Smith led the Red Storm attack with 25 points in 43 minutes.
''It's tough to lose a game like that,'' St. John's coach Joe Tartamella said. ''I'm proud how we were able to come back (from an early 22-6 deficit). It was a good game for growth, but there are no moral victories here. These guys have been through a lot of battles in their careers.''
USF (8-1) was dealt its first loss of the year, a 62-52 defeat to No. -/24 Nebraska (8-3) at home. Senior Andrell Smith led the Bulls with 22 points and 13 rebounds. The game was tied 30-30 at halftime, but USF shot just 19-percent over the final 20 minutes of the game.
Seton Hall (3-7) lost to Mount St. Mary’s 74-64 at home. Redshirt sophomore point guard Ka-Deidre Simmons scored 16 points to lead the Pirates.
Pittsburgh (6-4) lost at home to Rider 65-48. Panthers junior Asia Logan had 12 points and 13 rebounds, her fourth career double-double.
League teams resume play on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Louisville (9-2) hosts Washington State at 7 p.m., while DePaul (8-3) is at Loyola-Chicago at 8 p.m.
Material from interviews, school websites, the Associated Press wire service as well as league and team sources was used in this report. All times are Eastern
