Storrs, CT (SportsNetwork.com) - Kahleah Copper and Tyler Scaife each collected 21 points to help lead the eighth-seeded Rutgers Scarlet Knights past the ninth-seeded Seton Hall Pirates, 79-66, in the opening round of the NCAA Women's Tournament at Gampel Pavilion.
Copper added in eight rebounds, while Scaife dished out four assists for Rutgers (23-9). Betnijah Laney tallied a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds to help the winning cause.
The Scarlet Knights advance to the second round of the tournament, and will take on top-seeded Connecticut on Monday.
Tabatha Richardson-Smith scored 18 points to lead Seton Hall (28-6), while Tiffany Jones contributed 17 points and seven rebounds. Janee Johnson added 12 points and five boards in the defeat.
Seton Hall was limited to just 35.9 percent shooting in the contest, and was outrebounded by a 45-33 margin. The Scarlet Knights owned a 20-12 scoring advantage from the free-throw line in the win.
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