Rutgers' Betnijah Laney (44) grabs for the ball in front of South Florida's Andrea Smith during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Rutgers' Betnijah Laney (44) grabs for the ball in front of South Florida's Andrea Smith during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
South Florida's Inga Orekhova, right, of Ukraine, looks to take a shot as Rutgers' Betnijah Laney blocks her path during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) ? C. Vivian Stringer became the fourth women's college basketball coach to reach 900 wins as Rutgers cruised past South Florida 68-56 on Tuesday night.
Stringer, a Hall of Famer in her 42nd season as head coach, reached the milestone thanks to Erica Wheeler, who scored 24 points to help the Scarlet Knights (15-12, 6-8 Big East) snap a four-game losing streak.
Stringer joined Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt and Sylvia Hatchell, who reached the mark on Feb. 7. Only three Division I men's coaches have reached 900 victories ? Mike Krzyzewski, Bob Knight and Jim Boeheim.
"I am fortunate to call Vivian my friend and could not be happier that she has reached the 900-win milestone in her career. I have great respect and admiration for Vivian and consider her one of the great pioneers of our game," Summitt said in a statement. "She has had an incredible journey, and I hope she adds many more to her 'W' column!"
As the game ended, a crowd of 1,304 at the Rutgers Athletic Center saluted Stringer with chants of "900" and "C.V.S." and Scarlet Knights Athletics Director Tim Pernetti was among the first to greet her with a congratulatory banner.
Rutgers had lost four straight games since beating Cincinnati for Stringer's 899th career victory. Stringer is 900-330 in her career.
Betnijah Laney added 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Scarlet Knights. Laney and Wheeler had six points apiece and Syessence Davis made a 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer as the Scarlet Knights used a 17-6 closing run to go into intermission with a 35-24 advantage.
Rachel Hollivay scored six of her eight points after the break for Rutgers, which didn't allow South Florida (19-8, 8-6) within eight points in the second half.
The Bulls, who saw their three-game winning streak snapped, were led by Courtney Williams' 15 points.
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