Scott conducted one night battle practice with his ships on 8 October, then took station south of Guadalcanal near Rennell Island on 9 October, to await word of any Japanese naval movement toward the southern Solomons.
Scott gennemførte en natkampsøvelse med sine skibe den 8. oktober og gik herefter i stilling syd for Guadalcanal nær Rennell Island den 9. oktober for at afvente besked om japanske flådebevægelser mod de sydlige Salomonøer.