Rutgers Women’s Basketball Keeps Its Perfect Streak, Destroys Ecuador 95-32 at the FISU America Games

On a bright Saturday morning in Lima, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights – playing under the banner of Team USA – turned a routine pool‑play matchup into a showcase of sheer firepower. The final score read 95‑32, a margin that not only kept the squad unbeaten (3‑0) but also continued a streak of winning by 50 points or more for the third game in a row.

The opening quarter set the tone. Rutgers surged ahead with a 16‑1 run, and Ecuador didn’t even convert a field goal until the tail end of the period – a three‑pointer that felt more like a consolation than a start. By the end of the first quarter, the Knights were up 27‑8, already looking like they owned the game.

Quarter two was a repeat performance, only with a slightly slower pace. Ecuador scraped together five points while Rutgers added 18, widening the gap to 45‑13 at the break. Coach Gary Redus II, in his first season at the helm, admitted the early‑morning start “slowed us down a bit,” but praised his players for adjusting on the fly.

“We don’t want to play the scoreboard,” Redus told reporters. “We always want to focus on what we can control.” That mindset seemed to pay off. The third quarter saw Ecuador’s best output – 11 points – yet Rutgers still pushed the lead to 72‑24. By the final period, the Knights cruised to a 63‑point victory, holding their opponents to single‑digit scoring in three of the four quarters.

Technical glitches briefly marred the broadcast, with the first half streaming hiccuping on the FISU America YouTube channel. Rutgers issued an apology, noting that officials were working to restore service for the remainder of the game.

Redus highlighted the fast, scrappy identity of his squad, calling out stand‑outs like Tara Daye, Mya Pauldo, Jaylah Lampley, Precious Gem Wheeler, and Chikae Desdunes for setting the tone on the floor. Those names have already become familiar faces after big wins over Peru (101‑51) and Argentina (95‑45).

Looking ahead, the Knights will close pool play on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET against Chile, a team that entered the contest after a 72‑50 victory over Peru and a narrow 59‑58 loss to Argentina. The match will be streamed via the same FISU America channel, and Rutgers hopes to keep the momentum rolling.

All told, the Scarlet Knights are not just winning – they’re doing it in emphatic style, building chemistry for the upcoming 2026‑27 season while fans chant, “#GoRU.”