Rutgers Women’s Basketball Falls to Oregon, 74-53, Despite Strong Efforts from Swann and Perkins
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - For the first quarter, Rutgers looked ready to trade punches. But over the course of 40 minutes, Oregon’s depth and consistency proved too much, as the Scarlet Knights dropped a 74-53 decision at Jersey Mike’s Arena on Wednesday night.
It was a night of highs and lows for Rutgers (9-12, 1-9 Big Ten), who found sparks in the performances of Lauryn Swann and Zachara Perkins. Swann led the team with a season-high 13 points, continuing her upward trend - she’s now scored in double figures in four of her last five games. Perkins, returning after a three-game absence, chipped in 11 points and played with the kind of energy Rutgers fans have come to expect from the sophomore guard.
Antonia Bates and Swann each pulled down five rebounds to pace the Scarlet Knights on the glass, while Nene Ndiaye and Janae Walker contributed key buckets in the second half. Still, despite some promising stretches, Rutgers couldn’t keep pace with Oregon’s offensive rhythm.
First Quarter Fight
Rutgers came out with early energy, grabbing a 6-3 lead behind buckets from Antonia Bates, Imani Lester, and a smooth turnaround finish by Perkins. Oregon responded with a quick run, hitting a three and adding back-to-back layups to take a 10-6 lead before a Rutgers timeout midway through the quarter.
Out of the break, Swann caught fire - scoring five straight to nudge Rutgers back in front, 11-10. The rest of the quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with seven lead changes and four ties before Oregon hit a buzzer-beating three to take a 19-16 edge into the second.
Second Quarter Struggles
Nene Ndiaye opened the second with a bucket, but Oregon responded with a 7-0 run that forced Rutgers into another timeout. Perkins briefly broke the Ducks’ momentum with a score, but Oregon kept their foot on the gas, adding four more points and stretching the lead to double digits.
The Ducks continued to roll, stringing together 11 unanswered points before Swann stepped up again, scoring five late in the half to stop the bleeding. Still, Oregon closed the quarter with another basket, heading into the locker room up 44-25.
Rutgers Shows Fight in Second Half
To their credit, Rutgers didn’t fold. The Scarlet Knights traded baskets with Oregon early in the third quarter, with Ndiaye, Perkins, and Walker all contributing. A mini 6-0 run - highlighted by a Ndiaye three and a Perkins and-one - gave Rutgers a brief jolt, trimming the gap slightly.
Later in the quarter, Perkins came up with a steal that led to a Kaylah Ivey three, one of the cleaner sequences of the night for the Scarlet Knights. But Oregon had an answer for every push, including another buzzer-beating triple to close the third and extend their lead to 65-43.
Swann opened the fourth with a three, continuing her strong night, and Rutgers managed to win the final quarter 10-9 - a small but meaningful note for a team still building its identity in Big Ten play.
By the Numbers
- Lauryn Swann: Season-high 13 points, fourth double-digit game in the last five.
- Zachara Perkins: 11 points in her return, now with 11 double-digit outings this season.
- Antonia Bates & Swann: Team-high five rebounds each.
- Rutgers: Won the final quarter, 10-9.
- First Quarter: Featured seven lead changes and four ties.
What’s Next
Rutgers now heads west for a tough road swing, beginning with a matchup against USC on February 1, followed by a showdown with No. 2 UCLA on February 4. It’s a challenging stretch, but also a chance for the Scarlet Knights to test themselves against top-tier competition and continue developing their young core.
One thing’s clear: if Swann and Perkins keep trending upward, Rutgers has a foundation to build on - even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect it Wednesday night.