PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Interstat) — In a hard-fought, defensive-minded contest at a raucous Louis Brown Athletic Center, the Rutgers women’s basketball team outlasted Rhode Island 68-63 on Thursday night. The game, played before an announced crowd of 6,829, saw both teams move to 3-1 on the young season.

The Scarlet Knights seized control early, leveraging a potent first-quarter offensive display to build a lead they would never fully relinquish. Rutgers outpaced the Rams 21-13 in the opening period, setting a physical tone that persisted throughout the evening. Rhode Island, however, displayed resilience, chipping away at the deficit and keeping the outcome in doubt until the final possessions.

Nene Ndiaye was the catalyst for Rutgers, pouring in a game-high 24 points. The sophomore from Saly, Senegal, was efficient from the floor and added five rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes of action. Her backcourt mate, Kaylah Ivey, provided crucial stability, logging 39 minutes and contributing 13 points and three assists while serving as the primary ball-handler against Rhode Island’s defensive pressure.

The Rams were led by the scoring duo of Brooklyn Gray and Palmire Mbu. Gray, a guard from Rockford, Illinois, finished with 18 points, while Mbu, hailing from Lille, France, added 17 points and five rebounds. Vanessa Harris also reached double figures for Rhode Island, chipping in 13 points.

Despite the loss, Rhode Island dominated the interior battle on the glass. Albina Syla, a 6-foot-5 center from Vantaa, Finland, pulled down 10 rebounds to go with six points, while Rutgers’ Janae Walker matched her with 10 rebounds of her own, alongside seven points.

The game was ultimately decided by efficiency and ball security. Rutgers shot a solid 47 percent from the field and committed only six turnovers, allowing them to maximize their possessions. Rhode Island, conversely, struggled with their shooting, converting just 37 percent of their field goal attempts and turning the ball over 13 times. The Rams’ offensive woes were particularly evident from beyond the arc, where they managed only 3-of-16 shooting.

A key sequence came late in the fourth quarter with Rutgers clinging to a narrow lead. After a Brooklyn Gray three-pointer brought Rhode Island within a single possession, the Scarlet Knights executed in the final minute. Rutgers secured critical offensive rebounds and converted key free throws down the stretch to seal the five-point victory.

Both teams return to action this weekend. Rhode Island looks to rebound at home against Albany on Saturday, while Rutgers will host Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday.