Rutgers Women's Basketball Falls to Penn State 87-78 on Senior Night

Rutgers could not pick up the win on Senior Night, falling to the Nittany Lions.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 12:03am

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Rutgers women's basketball had its second-to-last home game of the season against Penn State, where all the graduating Scarlet Knights were honored for their time spent on the banks. Unfortunately for Rutgers, they could not pick up the win, falling to the Nittany Lions 87-78.

Why it matters

This loss is a disappointing end to the season for Rutgers, who were hoping to send off their seniors with a victory on Senior Night. The game highlighted some of the team's struggles, including their inability to capitalize on offensive rebounds and turnovers created.

The details

Rutgers got off to a strong start, taking an early lead thanks to scoring from Imani Lester and Kaylah Ivey. However, Penn State fought back, with Makenna McMiller and Gracie Merkle leading the charge for the Nittany Lions. McMiller finished the game with 37 points, while Merkle scored 26. Despite a late push from Rutgers, they were unable to overcome Penn State's hot shooting and ultimately fell by a score of 87-78.

  • The game took place on February 22, 2026, which was Rutgers' second-to-last home game of the season.
  • It was also Senior Night, where the graduating Scarlet Knights were honored for their time with the team.

The players

Imani Lester

A key offensive contributor for Rutgers, scoring 10 points in the first quarter.

Makenna McMiller

The standout performer for Penn State, scoring a game-high 37 points.

Gracie Merkle

Dominated in the paint for Penn State, scoring 26 points.

Zachara Perkins

Had a good outing for Rutgers, recording a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Kaylah Ivey

Hit a key three-pointer late in the game to try and spark a Rutgers comeback.

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What’s next

Rutgers' last home game of the season will be on Wednesday at 7 pm against Indiana.

The takeaway

This loss is a tough end to the season for Rutgers, who were unable to send off their seniors with a victory on Senior Night. The team struggled to contain Penn State's top scorers and capitalize on their own offensive opportunities, highlighting areas for improvement heading into the offseason.