RADNOR, Pa. — Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer was back Saturday night, stalking the sideline, complaining to her assistant coaches and criticizing her players.
After serving a one-game suspension due to a violation of the NCAA policy regarding male practice players, what Stringer and 1,167 others at The Pavilion saw was a mixed bag.
On the court, Rutgers, as always, was more gritty than pretty. The offense had to grind to score against an undersized, hyperactive Villanova defense but the Scarlet Knights showed improved execution and limited turnovers. The defense was energetic and commanding.
Ultimately, Rutgers (15-10, 7-4 Big East) did what it had to in order to beat feisty Villanova, 49-36, and keep stalking an NCAA Tournament bid.
“I think we’re playing good right now,” said guard Brittany Ray, after Rutgers’ third consecutive victory. “We’re still making a few mistakes. I think we’re playing together and trusting each other a little more.”
Ray has been emblematic of her team’s inconsistent play over its past six games. During a three-game losing streak, she scored 14 total points. During the recent three-game winning streak, her shooting touch has returned.
Saturday night, the senior was 0-for-4 from the field in the first half, but breathed life into the Rutgers offense in the second half with 14 points. After the halftime buzzer, Ray was a different player — shooting with confidence, gliding around the court with purpose — and the flow of the Rutgers offense transformed with her.
The Scarlet Knights managed just six points over the game’s first 12 minutes, and led just 20-15 over Villanova (12-12, 1-10) at halftime.
Five minutes into the second, Ray sparked a 16-4 Rutgers run with eight points. When the flurry finally ended with a Ray jumper with 8:34 remaining, Rutgers had a 16-point lead and had effectively put the Wildcats to bed.
“I just felt that I needed to be more of an offensive threat in the game,” Ray said.
Just as important as Ray’s resurgence were signs of growth from the offense as a whole. Rutgers had more assists (12) than turnovers (nine) for just the third time this season, but for the second game in a row. Nine turnovers matches the fewest the team, which averaged 17.9 per game coming in, has had this season.
“We were more patient and a lot more trusting,” Stringer said.
In other words, this year’s squad is starting to become the kind of team Stringer looks to replicate year after year.
Not lost should be the performance of the Rutgers defense, which suffocated Villanova’s anemic offense with a hectic, trapping half-court scheme that Stringer said was a mini version of her “55” full-court press. The result of Rutgers' second-best defensive performance of the season was evident in the Villanova box score: 16 turnovers (which led to 16 Rutgers points), 30 percent shooting.
After the game, Stringer said she would not comment on her suspension. Instead of dwelling on the past, the coach preferred to eye the future.
On Tuesday night, Rutgers will tip off at West Virginia — a game Stringer compared to having a toothache. After playing just seven of her nine players Saturday night, Stringer says her team will be tested.
“I think the game at West Virginia will tell us a lot, a lot about how far we’ve come,” the coach said. “I’m cautiously awaiting that game.”
Michael J. Fensom may be reached at mfensom@starledger.com