Preview: Rutgers Looks to Rebound Against Hot Princeton Squad

PRINCETON, N.J. (Interstat) — A surging Princeton squad hosts a Rutgers team seeking to regain its footing in a nonconference women’s basketball clash Wednesday night at Jadwin Gymnasium.

The Tigers (9-1) have won nine straight since a season-opening loss at Maryland, including a 70-58 road victory at Belmont last Saturday. The Scarlet Knights (7-3), meanwhile, are coming off a lopsided 79-36 home loss to Iowa that snapped a three-game winning streak.

Princeton’s success has been fueled by balance and efficiency. Forward Olivia Hutcherson is coming off a dominant double-double performance against Belmont, with 19 points and 11 rebounds. For the season, she averages 10.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She is complemented by a deep roster where five players average at least 8.5 points.

Rutgers will lean on guard Zachara Perkins to jumpstart its offense. Perkins averages a team-high 13.8 points per game and has scored in double figures in seven of ten contests this season. Her backcourt play will be critical against a stout Princeton defense that has held opponents to 58.9 points per game during its win streak.

The Scarlet Knights have shown resilience, winning close games against Siena and Rhode Island earlier this season, but have struggled offensively against high-level competition, as evidenced by the Iowa loss and a 51-46 defeat at Auburn.

Historically, this in-state matchup has been tightly contested. The game features contrasting trajectories, with Princeton aiming to extend its momentum and Rutgers desperate to erase the memory of its worst performance of the season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. Following this game, Princeton will travel to face George Mason on Dec. 20, while Rutgers will host Lafayette on the same date before beginning Big Ten Conference play.