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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- When all else fails -- like it was against
Syracuse -- there's always defense to turn around a game.
Rutgers (No. 11 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, No. 8 AP) relied on a full-court press -- and maybe a little bit of luck -- to erase a 13-point deficit and beat back Syracuse's upset bid Tuesday night, 56-51.
|  | | Rutgers' Karlita Washington, left, and Davalyn Cunningham put pressure on Jakia Ervin. |
Shawnetta Stewart's rebound basket and foul shot with 1:18 to
play capped the Scarlet Knight's furious comeback.
"We always go back to our defense to help us win games," said
Stewart. "We got aggressive in the last couple of minutes and we
got some steals and turnovers. We know we can always rely on our
defense."
The Scarlet Knights (17-5, 9-3 Big East) trailed 49-36 with six
minutes to play but used a smothering press to rattle the
Orangewomen (10-12, 3-8), who lost for a fifth time this season to
a ranked opponent.
"We were lucky," said coach Vivian Stringer. "We played
sluggish in the first half and we were a step slow most of the
night. We probably thought we could turn it on whenever we wanted.
We almost didn't."
Syracuse looked to be on the verge of its biggest win of the
season as Jaime James scored 20 points, hitting 6-of-13 from
3-point range, to help the Orangewomen build a 49-36 cushion.
But Jakia Ervin's two free throws would be the only points
Syracuse would score down the stretch as Rutgers' press produced a
series of turnovers and steals. Ervin, Syracuse's point guard,
fouled out with 2:22 remaining.
Usha Gilmore's 14-foot jumper with 1:30 to play made it 51-49.
Then, after a steal by Rutgers, Stewart followed up a missed shot
by Tammy Sutton-Brown. She added a free throw to give Rutgers a
52-51 lead.
Stewart, who played only two minutes in the first half, finished
with 9 points. Sutton-Brown led Rutgers with 22.
Syracuse finished with 21 turnovers while Rutgers finished with
a 20-9 edge in offensive rebounds.
"We played gutsy and intense defense. We had Rutgers on their
heels," said Syracuse coach Marianna Freeman. "The last three
minutes of the game we just didn't handle the press. That, and the
offensive rebounds."
Syracuse had several chances to pull out the game, even after
unraveling at the end, but the Orangewomen missed the front end of
two one-and-one free throw opportunities.
Down by three with under 10 seconds to play, James tried to
maneuver for a final 3-pointer but was called for a travel. Stewart
added two free throws for the final spread.
"This one hurts," said James. "We gave everything we had, and
it comes down to a 3-pointer. I'd give back all those 3-pointers to
hit just that last one at the end."
Rutgers relied on a bruising inside game to push out to a 22-13
as Sutton-Brown powered her way to 12 first-half points, including
10 during an 18-5 spurt. But her layin with 9:02 to play in the
half started a six-minute drought for the Scarlet Knights that
allowed Syracuse to take a 28-26 halftime lead.
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ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Rutgers Clubhouse
Syracuse Clubhouse
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