2008 Woodie Awards
Rutgers Advances To Face UConn
Women's Basketball
Kevin Meacham
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Sports
GREENSBORO, N.C. - After being denied a rubber match in the Big East tournament, it's only fitting that the Greensboro Regional will come down to UConn and Rutgers.
The No. 2 seed Scarlet Knights (27-6) upended No. 6 George Washington, 53-42, in the second regional semifinal behind 23 points from Essence Carson.
"We were fortunate to win the game," said Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer. "It was very difficult. We played poorly. We'll take that and look forward to the game Tuesday, Monday, whenever.
Rutgers' offense committed 15 turnovers and they barely outrebounded the smaller Colonials (27-7). But the Scarlet Knights' defense suffocated the Colonials to the tune of 8-for-27 (29 percent) in the first half. At the same time, Rutgers' patient, ball-control offense resulted in 54.5 percent shooting and a 28-16 lead.
George Washington did pull a comeback, managing to cut double-digit deficits to 33-30 and 46-42 in the final four minutes. But Carson's mid-range jumper, which she converted into a 3-point play with 3:20 to go, was enough for the Scarlet Knights to avoid the upset bid.
"My teammates do a great job of getting the ball in positions where I can be effective," Carson said. "I just had to stay in the mindset of being aggressive and attacking, not to settle for long-range jump shots."
Rutgers advanced to its second straight Elite Eight with the win. Last year, also in Greensboro, the Scarlet Knights knocked off No. 3 seed Arizona State, 64-45, before eventually advancing to the national championship game.
Contact Kevin Meacham
at Kevin.Meacham@Uconn.edu
The No. 2 seed Scarlet Knights (27-6) upended No. 6 George Washington, 53-42, in the second regional semifinal behind 23 points from Essence Carson.
"We were fortunate to win the game," said Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer. "It was very difficult. We played poorly. We'll take that and look forward to the game Tuesday, Monday, whenever.
Rutgers' offense committed 15 turnovers and they barely outrebounded the smaller Colonials (27-7). But the Scarlet Knights' defense suffocated the Colonials to the tune of 8-for-27 (29 percent) in the first half. At the same time, Rutgers' patient, ball-control offense resulted in 54.5 percent shooting and a 28-16 lead.
George Washington did pull a comeback, managing to cut double-digit deficits to 33-30 and 46-42 in the final four minutes. But Carson's mid-range jumper, which she converted into a 3-point play with 3:20 to go, was enough for the Scarlet Knights to avoid the upset bid.
"My teammates do a great job of getting the ball in positions where I can be effective," Carson said. "I just had to stay in the mindset of being aggressive and attacking, not to settle for long-range jump shots."
Rutgers advanced to its second straight Elite Eight with the win. Last year, also in Greensboro, the Scarlet Knights knocked off No. 3 seed Arizona State, 64-45, before eventually advancing to the national championship game.
Contact Kevin Meacham
at Kevin.Meacham@Uconn.edu
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