Rutgers used a stifling defense and the hot shooting of Matee Ajavon and Cappie Pondexter to roll past Notre Dame 69-43.

The Scarlet Knights opened the game with a 20-1 lead at the 11 minute mark, but the Irish fought back to make it a 28-24 game early in the second half. But Ajavon ignited another run, that had the Scarlet Knights convert on 11 straight possessions, force five turnovers and ultimately push out a 30-6 run to forge a 60-30 advantage.

Rutgers had 10 steals and scored 35 points off Notre Dame turnovers and held Megan Duffy to 10 points on 2-8 shooting. "Rutgers' defense was outstanding; it looked like they had six or seven players on the floor,'' said Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw.

Ajavon was impressive in her return to the starting lineup. The sophomore has been in and out of the starting lineup all season as she recovered from a stress fracture in her shin. The Irish had no answer for her as she shot 11-18, including 5-7 from 3-point range. The 28 points was a season high for Ajavon.