SAN MARCOS, Texas – No. 21/23 and sixth-seeded Rutgers women's basketball (14-5) fell to 11-seed BYU (19-5) by a score of 69-66 in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday afternoon, held at Strahan Arena on the campus of Texas State.
The Scarlet Knights end the 2020-21 season, which was highlighted by overcoming a five-week COVID-19 pause with its longest conference winning streak in 17 years. Rutgers made its 26
th appearance at the NCAA Tournament, and 17
th under head coach
C. Vivian Stringer, who coached in her 28
th NCAA Tournament in her 50
th year as a college head coach.
"I thought our attitude was great and we fought, but sometimes you miss some shots in this game," Coach Stringer said. "We were right there on the press, we got them to fold. They got a few breaks, but nothing to take away from BYU and their coaches. They did a great job. I was disappointed that we couldn't hit more shots in a physical game, which we're usually ready for playing in the Big Ten."
Arella Guirantes scored 30 points on 10-of-18 shooting with six rebounds, four assists and three steals in her final game of a legendary collegiate career. The Scarlet Knight superstar bid a tearful farewell to her teammates, coaches and fans, but was certain her leadership "On the Banks" is far from over.
"It hurts," Guirantes said. "I'm going to be sad about it now, in the moment. But there are things to get ready for. This team has big things to get ready for, and I'm still a leader, I'm not gone yet. I have to show them you have to feel the pain, and use it as motivation to get through your next obstacle."
Guirantes will leave the college game with 1,696 career points, the ninth most of anyone to wear the RU uniform, and capping it with her sixth career 30-point performance on the biggest stage.
"The word legacy is special to me, because everyone wants to leave a mark," Guirantes said. "I know I came in from a different program, but Rutgers is so, so, so special to me. Every road led to Rutgers, and I know it happened for a reason. I am so grateful I finished my career here, got to play for Coach Stringer, Coach Eatman, with these women, and to be part of the sisterhood and unity that we have here."
Freshman
Diamond Johnson concluded a breakout rookie campaign with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting, a three-pointer, four boards, two assists and three steals in her first NCAA Tournament game. She finished with 17.6 points per game, the second highest in program history only behind Rutgers Hall of Famer and WNBA superstar Cappie Pondexter.
Tekia Mack added 11 points, all scored in the third quarter.
Mael Gilles had three rebounds, two assists and three steals. There has been no announcement or decision at this time on Mack or Gilles, both senior leaders, taking the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA this year.
The Scarlet Knights led by 12 late in the third quarter before the Cougars used a 12-0 run in the fourth to take a three-point lead with four minutes left. BYU never relinquished the lead, despite Guirantes cutting it to one possession on three occasions with clutch buckets. BYU hit four free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the win.
Scoring was few and far between in the first period, with turnovers dominating the early going. Rutgers grabbed five steals and held the Cougars to 30 percent from the floor over the opening 10 minutes, taking a slim 12-10 lead after one.
BYU launched the first attack with a 9-1 scoring run in the second quarter. RU went more than four minutes without a field goal, but produced a resounding answer to that drought. Guirantes sparked a 10-0 rally with five points, four from the field and one from the charity stripe, to regain the lead as BYU suffered a scoring drought over the final 5:23 of the second period.
Mack scored all of her 11 points in the third quarter, leading to the first couple of double-digit leads.
