2011: Rutgers advanced to its second-straight BIG EAST Tournament Semifinal and made its ninth-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights received a No. 7 seed in the Dallas Region and drew No. 10 Louisiana Tech in the opening round. Khadijah Rushdan (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Chelsey Lee (11 points, 11 rebounds) paced RU to a 76-51 victory, despite playing at Bossier City, La. Rushdan and Lee’s performance marked the first time since Jan. 12, 2008 that two players posted double-doubles in the same game for Rutgers. Despite April Sykes' seventh 20-point game of the season, the Scarlet Knights bowed out of the tournament in the second round, losing to Texas A&M, the eventual National Champion, 70-48. The 2010-11 campaign marked the 31st 20-win season for C. Vivian Stringer and her 12th in the past 14 seasons.
2010: The Scarlet Knights used a strong push in the BIG EAST Championship to secure their eighth-straight and 21st overall NCAA Championship bid. RU earned a No. 9 seed (Sacramento Region) for the second time in program history. For the fourth time in the last six seasons, Rutgers faced off against a Big Ten squad in NCAA Tournament action - meeting up with No. 8 Iowa in Stanford, Calif. Stringer coached at Iowa prior to Rutgers, leaving in 1995 as the program’s all-time winningest coach (269 wins). The Scarlet Knights saw their season end versus the Hawkeyes, falling 70-63 - their first loss in the first round play since 2004.
2009: Rutgers received its 20th nod into the postseason dance, advancing to its fifth-straight Sweet Sixteen. The Scarlet Knights were seeded seventh, the lowest seeding since 2004 and only the third time under Stringer that the Scarlet Knights were lower than a No. 3 seed. RU hosted the first and second rounds at the RAC for the first time since 2001. The Scarlet Knights got 26 points from junior Epiphanny Prince en route to a 57-51 win over No. 10 VCU in the first round. Prince added 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season. Rutgers drew Auburn in the second round, the second seed in the tourney. The Knights used a balanced scoring attack and their stifling defense to stun the Lady Tigers, 80-52. Prince, again, worked her magic by tallying 27 points- 18 of those coming in the second half. Senior Heather Zurich and junior Brittany Ray each added 12 points in the victory, RU’s 21st of the year. The bid for a third-straight Elite Eight ended in Oklahoma City as Purdue halted Rutgers 67-61.
2008 Rutgers made its 19th apperance in the NCAA Tournament, its fourth straight Sweet Sixteen and second consecutive Elite Eight showing. The Scarlet Knights grabbed the No. 2 seed, the third time in program history the squad earned the seeding. RU was sent to Des Moines for first round play, In the first round, the Knights had little problem with No. 15 Robert Morris. Kia Vaughn paced the team with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Fellow New York City native Epiphanny Prince added 21 points, including a 4-of-4 showing from three-point land. In the second round, RU took on ‘home team’ Iowa State in its own backyard. Four players had double figures, led by Vaughn’s 23 points. Next up a return trip to Greensboro, N.C. In the regional semifinals, RU bested George Washington for the second time on the season. The 53-42 victory over the Colonials - with 25 points from senior Essence Carson - would vault RU to the third meeting with conference foe Connecticut. Despite holding a double-digit lead, Rutgers was denied its second consecutive Final Four berth. Matee Ajavon had 18 points in her final game and earned all-regoinal honors along with Carson and Prince.
2007 After winning its first BIG EAST Conference tournament crown, Rutgers was tabbed the fourth seed in the Greensboro Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights traveled to East Lansing, matching and setting a number of NCAA records in a 77-34 victory over East Carolina. They limited the Lady Pirates to the second-lowest field goal percentage all-time in an NCAA contest (16.4 percent) and matched the lowest number of field goals allowed (10). In the second round, RU defeated No. 5 seed Michigan State on its home floor by a 70-57 score. Kia Vaughn tallied 16 points in the triumph, 12 of those in the second half. The Scarlet Knights next traveled to Greensboro, N.C. to take on the top-seed in the tournament, Duke. Freshman Epiphanny Prince stole the ball and went coast-to-coast for the go-ahead score to lift RU to a thrilling 53-52 victory over Duke in the Greensboro Regional semifinals. The same Duke squad had beaten the Knights by 40 points early in the season. The scrappy defense continued to roll in NCAA competition, beating No. 3 seed Arionza State 64-45 for the regional title. Junior Matee Ajavon scored 20 points and earned Most Valuable Performer honors in the Region. Teammates Essence Carson and Kia Vaughn were named to the All-Greensboro Region Team. Rutgers became the lowest seeded team to reach the Final Four in three seasons win over the Sun Devils. In the National Semifinals, Rutgers - once again - used a stingy defense to move past LSU, 59-35 and advance to its first national title game. Tennessee would end the Scarlet Knights’ season, 59-46. RU was just the second team-ever to begin play at 2-4 to start a season and conclude it in the national final contest.
2006 Following a perfect 16-0 record in BIG EAST Conference regular-season play, Rutgers was awarded the third seed in the Cleveland Region of the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights made the short trip to nearby Trenton, surviving a hot shooting effort by 14th-seeded Dartmouth (63-58) in the first round, but bounced back in the second round, displaying one of their most complete efforts of the season in an 82-48 trouncing of 11th-seeded TCU to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Called by many the toughest region in the 25-year history of the NCAA Tournament, RU joined tourney top overall seed North Carolina, SEC Tournament champion Tennessee and Purdue, the Big Ten runner-up, in Cleveland. The Scarlet Knights faced off against the Lady Vols, a team many experts believed was deserving of a top seed, in the regional semifinals, and the second-seeded Lady Vols knocked Rutgers out of the tournament for the second straight year, 76-69. All-American Cappie Pondexter ended her career “On the Banks” with 22 points against UT and was named to the All-Cleveland Region Team.
2005 After a second straight runner-up finish at the BIG EAST Tournament, the Scarlet Knights were seeded third in the Philadelphia Region of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. RU easily handled 14th-seeded Hartford in the first round in Storrs, CT, defeating the Hawks 62-37, earning a rematch with sixth-seeded Temple in the second round. Rutgers avenged a regular-season loss to the Owls, earning a 61-54 win and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on Temple’s homecourt. The Scarlet Knights would again avenge an earlier loss, handing second-seeded Ohio State a 64-58 loss in the regional semifinals, but Rutgers could not duplicate a Dec. 29 win against Tennessee, losing to the top-seeded Lady Vols 59-49 in a regional final game that saw UT shoot 22 more free throws (35-13) than the Scarlet Knights. Cappie Pondexter was named the MOP of the Philadelphia Regional after ranking first in scoring (24.0 ppg) and sixth in three-point shooting (.579, 11-19) in the entire NCAA Tournament field. She was joined on the All-Region Team by freshman Matee Ajavon, who was third in steals (3.00 spg) and eighth in assists (4.50 apg) in the tournament.
2004 Following a runner-up finish at the 2004 BIG EAST Championship, Rutgers received the seventh seed in the Midwest Region. The Scarlet Knights, able to suit up just eight scholarship players due to injuries, were forced to play on a lesser seed’s home court for the second consecutive season, travelling to Chattanooga, TN, to face the No. 10 Lady Mocs. A 38-7 differential in free throws was a major contributor to RU’s 74-69 first-round exit.
2003 The Scarlet Knights returned to the national stage after a one-year hiatus, earning the fourth seed in the Mideast Region. Instead of earning a pair of home games as in years past, Rutgers was forced to go on the road due to the NCAA ’s use of pre-determined sites, and the Knights landed in Athens, GA. RU rallied to defeat 13th-seeded Western Kentucky in the first round (64-52), thanks in large part to a 21-point, 10-rebound, six-steal effort from sophomore Cappie Pondexter. In the second round against host and fifth-seeded Georgia, the Knights were unable to overcome a 27-10 difference in personal-foul calls and lost, 74-64.
2001 Rutgers received its second consecutive bid to the West Region and its first-ever fourth seed, earning the right to host the first two rounds of the tournament for a third consecutive year. The Scarlet Knights made short work of 13th-seeded Stephen F. Austin in the first round (80-43) as Tasha Pointer set a new NCAA Tournament record with her 18 assists. Next up for Rutgers was fifth-seeded Southwest Missouri State and NCAA all-time scoring leader Jackie Stiles. Fate seemed to be on the Lady Bears’ side as SMS earned a 60-53 victory on Rutgers’ home court and eventually advanced to the Final Four in St. Louis, just hours from the Southwest Missouri State campus.
2000 Rutgers earned the No. 2 seed in the West Region and hosted the first and second rounds for the second straight year at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. The Knights were successful in continuing their climb to the top, advancing to the team’s first NCAAFinal Four, which was held in Philadelphia. The Scarlet Knights defeated Holy Cross (91-70) and St. Joseph’s (59-39) on their home court, and continued to win on the road in Portland, Oregon against Alabama-Birmingham (60-45) and the West Region’s No. 1 seed Georgia (59-51). The winning streak for Rutgers ended in Philadelphia when the Knights fell to No. 2 Tennessee in the national semifinals, 64-54.
1999 Rutgers earned the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region and earned the right to host the first and second round games at the Louis Brown Athletic Center for the first time since 1994. The Knights advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since the field expanded to 64 teams by defeating Dartmouth (84-70), Arizona (90-47) and Texas Tech (53-42) before falling to eventual national champion Purdue (62-75) in the Midwest Regional final.
1998 Rutgers earned an at-large bid and the No. 5 seed in the Mideast Region to gain its first NCAA Tournament appearance in four years. The Scarlet Knights advanced to the Sweet Sixteen by defeating Oregon (79-76) and Iowa State (62-61) at the subregional at Ames, Iowa. Both games went down to the wire. Tomora Young hit a 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining against Oregon to earn the win, and Natasha Pointer nailed two free throws to defeat Iowa State. In the Mideast Regional semifinal game (Sweet Sixteen), the Knights fell (92-60) to No. 1 seed and defending national champion Tennessee in Nashville, Tenn.
1994 The expanded 64-team bracket made its debut in 1994 and Rutgers made its ninth consecutive trip to the “Big Dance.” Rutgers received a No. 5 seed in the East Region and hosted the No. 12 seeded Western Kentucky Lady Toppers. Despite a 31-point performance from senior Caroline DeRoose, Rutgers fell 84-73 to the Lady Toppers.
1993 The Knights made their eighth straight trip to the NCAA tournament as the ninth seed in the East Region. First-round action saw Rutgers travel to Vermont where the Knights snapped a two-year Catamount home winning streak with an 80-74 victory. In the second round, the Knights fell, 91-60, to the eventual national runner-up Ohio State.
1992 For the seventh consecutive year, the Knights advanced to the NCAA Tournament as they earned the No. 8 seed in the Mideast Region. In first round action at the Louis Brown Athletic Center, Rutgers cruised to a 93-63 victory over Southern Mississippi. Traveling to Tennessee for a second-round matchup, the Knights fell to the host Lady Vols, 97-56. Senior Tanya Hansen ended her illustrious career with a 34-point performance that set a Rutgers’ Women’s Basketball NCAA record.
1991 The Knights earned their sixth consecutive berth to the NCAA Tournament. As the No. 6 seed in the East Region, Rutgers hosted Toledo in the first round of the tourney. Unfortunately, they relinquished the 16-game home winning streak to the Rocket Women Cagers in a 65-83 defeat.
1990 The Knights made it number five in-a-row as they earned a No. 11 seed in the Mideast Region. Rutgers headed to Nashville, Tenn., to meet Vanderbilt in the first round of the tourney. Leading by 12 points with 3:32 remaining in the game, the Lady Commodores caused back-to-back Rutgers miscues and the Knights exited Memorial Coliseum with a 78-75 loss.
1989 The Knights made their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA ’s, earning an at-large bid to the prestigious 48-team tourney. Rutgers earned a No. 7 seed in the Mideast Region and defeated No. 10 seed Southern Mississippi in the first round (95-73), in Piscataway. The Knights advanced to the second round and lost to No. 2 seed N.C. State (75-73). Freshman Tanya Hansen almost put her team into overtime after attempting a foul line extended jumper with five seconds remaining in the game, but instead the team left Raleigh feeling proud of what they had accomplished.
1988 Rutgers was crowned as the Atlantic 10 Conference champions for the second consecutive year, giving the Scarlet Knights their second consecutive automatic bid to the Tournament. The Knights were seeded third in the East, earning a first-round bye and a second-round home game with Old Dominion. Rutgers defeated the Lady Monarchs (88-78), to ironically go to Old Dominion’s domain of Norfolk, Va., for the Regional Tournament. The Knights made a quick departure as they lost to Virginia in the first game (89-75) to finish in the “Sweet Sixteen” round of the Tournament.
1987 Rutgers went to the NCAA Tournament with an automatic qualification from winning the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship. The Knights were once again seeded second in the East with a first-round bye and a second-round home game. Rutgers handed a tough Duke team a 78-64 loss and earned a trip to the Regional Tournament in Fayetteville, N.C. Rutgers defeated N.C. State (75-60) in the Regional semifinal before meeting the number one team in the nation, Texas. Rutgers and the Lady Longhorns went right down to the wire in the most exciting ESPN telecast of the day. Texas finally controlled the game and went back home to Austin to host the Final Four tournament with an 85-77 victory over the second-year Elite Eight participants.
1986 Rutgers received its first invitation to the NCAA Tournament in 1986. After losing to Penn State for the Atlantic 10 Conference crown, the Knights earned an at-large bid to the Tournament and were seeded second in the East Region. Rutgers was awarded a first-round bye and played Villanova in the second round at home, defeating the BIG EAST Conference champions (85-58). Next on board for the Knights was a journey to the Palestra in Philadelphia for the Regionals. Rutgers met Penn State for the fifth time that season, returning the defeat which was handed to them in the A-10 Tournament, posting 85-72 victory. Rutgers then faced fourth-seeded Western Kentucky, but fell to the eventual Final Four participant (89-74), to finish in the nation’s Elite Eight.
Year-by-Year
2008 - No. 2 Seed -- Greensboro Region
First, Second Rounds; Des Moines, Iowa
First Round #15 Robert Morris W, 85-42
Second Round #7 Iowa State W, 69-58
Greensboro Regional (Greensboro, N.C.)
Regional Semifinals #6 George Washington W, 53-42
Regional Final #1 Connecticut L, 56-66
2007 - No. 4 Seed -- Greensboro Region
First, Second Rounds; East Lansing, Mich.
First Round #13 East Carolina W, 77-44
Second Round #5 Michigan St W, 70-57
Cleveland Regional; Cleveland, Ohio
Regional Semifinals #1 Duke W, 53-52
Regional Final No. 3 Arizona St. W, 64-45
Final Four; Cleveland, Ohio
National Semifinals #3 LSU W, 59-35
National Final #1 Tennessee L, 59-46
2006 - No. 3 Seed (Cleveland Region)
Rutgers 63, Dartmouth 58
Rutgers 82, TCU 48
Tennessee 76, Rutgers 69
2005 - No. 3 Seed (Philadel. Region)
Rutgers 62, Hartford 37
Rutgers 61, Temple 54
Rutgers 64, Ohio State 58
Tennessee 59, Rutgers 49
2004 - No. 7 Seed (Midwest Region)
Chattanooga 74, Rutgers 69
2003 - No. 4 Seed (Mideast Region)
Rutgers 64, Western Kentucky 52
Georgia 74, Rutgers 64
2001 - No. 4 Seed (West Region)
Rutgers 80, Stephen F. Austin 43
Southwest Missouri State 60, Rutgers 53
2000 - No. 2 Seed
Rutgers 91, Holy Cross 70
Rutgers 59, St. Joseph’s 39
Rutgers 60, UAB 45
Rutgers 59, Georgia 51
Tennessee 64, Rutgers 54
1999 - No. 3 Seed
Rutgers 84, Dartmouth 70
Rutgers 90, Arizona 47
Rutgers 53, Texas Tech 42
Purdue 75, Rutgers 62
1998 - No. 5 Seed
Rutgers 79, Oregon 76
Rutgers 62, Iowa State 61
Tennessee 92, Rutgers 60
1994 - No. 5 Seed
W. Kentucky 84, Rutgers 73
1993 - No. 9 Seed
Rutgers 80, Vermont 74
Ohio St. 91, Rutgers 60
1992 - No. 8 Seed
Rutgers 93, So. Mississippi 63
Tennessee 97, Rutgers 56
1991 - No. 6 Seed
Toledo 83, Rutgers 65
1990 - No. 11 Seed
Vanderbilt 78, Rutgers 75
1989 - No. 7 Seed
Rutgers 95, So. Mississippi 73
N.C. State 75, Rutgers 73
1988 - No. 3 Seed
Rutgers 88, Old Dominion 78
Virginia 89, Rutgers 75
1987 - No. 2 Seed
Rutgers 78, Duke 64
Rutgers 75, N.C. State 60
Texas 85, Rutgers 77
1986 - No. 2 Seed
Rutgers 85, Villanova 58
Rutgers 85, Penn State 72
W. Kentucky 89, Rutgers 74
Rutgers NCAA Records:
SINGLE GAME
Points 34, Tanya Hansen at Tenn., 3-21-92
Field Goals Made 14, Tanya Hansen at Tenn., 3-21-92
Field Goals Att. 23, Sue Wicks vs. N.C. State [N],
3-14-87
23, Sue Wicks vs. Texas [N], 3-17-87
23, Tanya Hansen at Tenn., 3-21-92
Free Throws Made 11, Sue Wicks vs. N.C. State [N],
3-14-87
Free Throws Att. 15, Sue Wicks vs. N.C. State [N],
3-14-87
Rebounds 17, Linda Miles vs. Oregon [N], 3-14-98
Assists 18, Tasha Pointer vs. Stephen F. Austin,
3-17-01
Steals 6, Cappie Pondexter vs. W. Kentucky
[N], 3-22-03
SINGLE TOURNAMENT
Points 96, Cappie Pondexter, 2005
(four games)
Field Goals Made 35, Cappie Pondexter, 2005
(four games)
Field Goals Att. 66, Shawnetta Stewart, 2000
(five games)
Free Throws Made 28, Sue Wicks, 1987 (three games)
Free Throws Att. 38, Sue Wicks, 1987 (three games)
Rebounds 39, Sue Wicks, 1987 (three games)
Assists 33, Tasha Pointer, 2000 (five games)
Steals 12, Matee Ajavon, 2005 (four games)
TEAM SINGLE GAME
Points 95, vs. Southern Mississippi, 3-16-89
Field Goals Made 40, vs. Southern Mississippi, 3-16-89
Field Goals Att. 73, vs. Western Kentucky [N], 3-22-86
Free Throws Made 25, vs. N.C. State [N], 3-14-87
Free Throws Att. 41, vs. N.C. State [N], 3-14-87
Rebounds 49, vs. Southern Mississippi, 3-16-89
Assists 29, vs. Stephen F. Austin, 3-17-01
Steals 16, vs. Arizona, 3-14-99
