Rutgers women’s basketball will host Lafayette to round out its nonconference slate on Saturday, December 20th, at 12 PM, kicking off a rare Jersey Mike’s Arena doubleheader with the men’s team tipping
off at 8 PM against Penn. The Scarlet Knights are now 7-4 on the season, most recently falling to #12 Iowa 79-36 in their Big Ten opener, before a more competitive effort against Princeton, falling 81-63 to the Tigers at Jadwin Gymnasium.
After a ten-day layoff, their longest of the season, the Scarlet Knights will have a chance to rebound against the Lafayette Leopards before entering conference play for the remainder of the regular season. The Leopards are 4-6 on the season, most recently falling to 3-6 Marist 79-76 in overtime.
Lafayette has already taken on several New Jersey schools, including a few that the Scarlet Knights have beaten already this season. The Leopards fell 69-61 to FDU, which Rutgers beat 59-49. They also lost 65-58 against Rider, but took down Saint Peter’s 76-58; the Scarlet Knights defeated the Peacocks 57-39. Lafayette does have a power conference win at Pittsburgh, but the Panthers have also fallen to D3 Scranton earlier this season.
Against Princeton, Rutgers found its offensive rhythm again, with Nene Ndiaye scoring 20 points, Kaylah Ivey scoring five three-pointers for 15 points, and Imani Lester providing 14 points off the bench. Outside of those three, Faith Blackstone had eight points, and the rest of the team struggled to contribute.
It remains to be seen if Lauryn Swann will suit up in this game, as she did against Iowa before sitting out once again against the Tigers. Rutgers needs their full lineup healthy for Big Ten play, as it faces a gauntlet as the year turns to 2026. This will be the Knights’ last chance to get right, as the conference schedule begins on December 28th with a trip to Michigan State to battle the #24 Spartans.
To support me and my work, please follow @arnavsarkar100 on X!
