Rutgers Roundup For the third straight year, Rutgers senior basketbal player Essence Carson was named the Big East Defensive Player of theYear the conference announced at the annual awards banquet on Friday evening. This is the fourth straight season a Scarlet Knight has won the top defensive league award, as voted on by the head coaches.Carson earned the accolade the last two seasons and Chelsea Newton was recognized in 2005. Carson, just the second player in the league to win the top defensive honor three straight years, averaged 5.1 rebounds for the ScarletKnights this season. She grabbed 63 defensive boards in league play, leadingRutgers to the top-rated scoring defense (53.3 ppg) in conference-only action. Carson is averaging 10.4 points on the offensive side, scoring in double figures in 15 games. The Scarlet Knights (24-6), are seeded second in the Greensboro Region of this year's NCAA Tournament and will face Robert Morris in the first round this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The game will be aired live on ESPN2 from DesMoines, Iowa. Rutgers posted a score of 188.575 to place fourth in a four-teamgymnasticsmeet Saturday night atWest Virginia University. The Scarlet Knights placed behind winner and host, WVU with 196.175, Minnesota (195.375), and New Hampshire (193.400). Rutgerswas competingwithout the services of its top all arounder Laura Sevarino and specialist Prishani Seebadri who was each limited with an injury. On beam, RU placed 14th through 19th asNorthcutt posted a 9.625 andAlisonHartiwig was right behind with a 9.575. Northcutt placed seventh in the all around with a 37.575. Senior Stephanie Pannick had a solid showing on the bars as she was 17th with a 9.550. Freshman Kiah Banfield led the Scarlet Knights with a 14th-place performance in the floor exercise, posting a 9.700.