Kaylene Smikle scores career-high 33 points in Rutgers women's basketball's victory over Delaware State
Sophomore guard Kaylene Smikle put on a show for the Rutgers women's basketball team on Wednesday and led the Scarlet Knights (4-5, 0-0) to an 82-48 victory over Delaware State.
Smikle scored 33 points, surpassing her prior career high of 29 against Maryland in her freshman season.
At the 3:49 mark of the first quarter, Rutgers found itself down 15-7, but a three-pointer by Smikle sparked a 34-12 Knights run to end the first half.
The sophomore went into the locker room at halftime with 19 points and her team led 41-27.
Rutgers was able to take over in the second half, outscoring the Hornets (0-6, 0-0) 41-21. Smikle set her scoring career high with 5:40 to go in the fourth quarter after a steal and an easy fast-break layup.
Smikle hit 13 of her 20 shots from the field and went 5 for 9 from beyond the arc. She also corralled in four rebounds, dished out three assists and totaled three steals.
"It's a great feeling to have a career high and have a great win with my team because they're really supportive," Smikle said of her performance against Delaware State.
Head coach Coquese Washington spoke about Smikle's career day on the hardwood.
"I think she shot the three ball well," Washington said. "When that's falling for her, her ability to get to the basket and get to the free throw line certainly adds an element for us that we love having."
The game between the Knights and the Hornets was special because it was Rutgers' annual Recess Game, where students from schools across the area headed to Jersey Mike's Arena on Livingston campus to watch some college basketball.
Smikle enjoyed having the kids in attendance for the game.
"I really enjoyed the energy that the kids brought, and I think it really helped when we came out slow in the first half to start scoring," Smikle said. "I think it helped the team pick up and feed off the crowd's energy. We brought it onto the court."fbec
The Knights will look to build off of their win when they take home court again on Friday against Lafayette. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus and 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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