January 30, 1999

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Tasha Pointer scored 18 points as No. 13 Rutgers - rebounding from a one-point loss three days earlier to fifth-ranked Connecticut - beat Villanova 61-48 in a game of runs Saturday.

But Rutgers struggled for much of the game until taking command with a 22-7 run in the second half.

The Scarlet Knights (18-4, 10-1 Big East) scored the game's first six points, but the Wildcats (9-10, 5-6) went on a 14-2 run for a 17-10 lead midway through the first half.

Rutgers came within 29-26 at halftime, then opened the second half with a 7-2 run to a 36-28 lead. But the Wildcats scored the next 10 points to make it 38-36.

Then Rutgers went on its decisive run.

Tomora Young added 13 points and four assists for Rutgers, which held an opponent under 50 points for the sixth time this season. Tammy Sutton-Brown chipped in with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Jenea Skeeters led Villanova with 17 points.