Adams Shatters Milestone with 1,000 Career Points in Hard-Fought Battle Against RV Minnesota

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women’s basketball (8-8, 0-5 B1G) suffered a 76-50 loss to Minnesota (16-1, 4-1 B1G) on Wednesday evening while away. The Golden Gophers are presently gaining votes in both the AP poll and the USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll.

Destiny Adams was the shining element for the Scarlet Knights, achieving her seventh double-double of the season with 28 points and 12 rebounds. She also marked her 1,000th career point in the third quarter.

How it Unfolded 

• Awa Sidibe opened the scoring for Rutgers, hitting a long two to take an early advantage. However, Minnesota responded with eight straight points to gain a six-point lead and prompt a timeout from RU at the 6:53 mark.
• Destiny Adams came out of the intermission determined, making a layup and two free throws to bring the contest back within two points.
• Nevertheless, the Golden Gophers did not relent, scoring four more just before the midpoint of the quarter.
• Each team exchanged three pointers in the following minutes to maintain a six-point margin, 15-9.
• Adams attempted a jumper with less than a minute remaining, but Minnesota recorded a buzzer beater to conclude the opening quarter ahead, 19-11.
• The Gophers kept pushing offensively, scoring another five straight points to open the second quarter.
• RU retaliated with a seven-point surge, including a deep shot from Mya Petticord, a reverse layup by Adams, and two made free throws by Sidibe. However, the home team maintained a lead at the 4:58 media timeout, 29-17.
• After the break, UM scored another five points, but Chyna Cornwell halted the momentum with a contested layup.
• Minnesota added a three-pointer and a fast break layup, forcing the Scarlet Knights into their second timeout. The adversaries maintained control, leading 39-19, with under two minutes remaining.
• The two squads traded baskets to conclude the first half, but Minnesota still entered the locker room with a 41-23 advantage.
• The Gophers hit two three-pointers in the early minutes of the third quarter, but Adams and Sidibe both contributed field goals.
• Adams scored a jumper at the 5:56 mark for her 1,000th career point. This significant shot reduced the deficit to 19 points before the media timeout.
• Both teams exchanged offensive plays with just over a minute to go. Petticord knocked down her first three of the game, but the Gophers swiftly responded with a score.
• Adams completed a three-point play to finish the third quarter with UM leading, 55-37.
• Minnesota maintained its energy with six points in the first three minutes of play. JoJo Lacey made a long jumper to put Rutgers on the scoreboard and adjust the score to 61-39.
• Adams followed up with another three-point play, but the Golden Gophers continued to contribute points to remain in control at the 5:00 media timeout, 66-42.
• Petticord added a free throw while Adams secured a steal and a score to keep the team energized with just over two minutes remaining.“`html
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• UM added the final minutes to secure a 76-50 triumph.

Knights Insights

• Adams marks the 38th athlete in program history to attain the 1,000th point milestone. Since her tenure began at “On The Banks,” Rutgers head coach Coquese Washington has witnessed one player reach the 1,000-point benchmark, including Kai Carter (2022-23) and Kassondra Brown (2023-24).
• Adams concluded the game with a double-double of 28 points and 12 rebounds, marking her seventh this season and her 15th overall in her career. She has now accumulated four double-doubles with more than 20 points.
• Awa Sidibe excelled on defense, leading RU with four steals—tying her personal best—and achieving a new career high with three blocks. Adams also added three steals and two blocks to her performance.
• Petticord made five assists, which is her highest for the season and just shy of her career record.

Looking Forward

Rutgers will return to Jersey Mike’s Arena for Letterwinner & National Girls and Women in Sports Day against Nebraska on Sunday, Jan. 12. The matchup, sponsored by Shoprite, will begin at 2 p.m.

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