Duquesne’s Comeback Falls Short Against GW

PITTSBURGH — The Duquesne women’s basketball team was down by as many as 24 points Sunday against a battle tested George Washington team and ate away at the advantage as time was winding down.

In the end, George Washington came away with a 55-54 win over Duquesne Sunday afternoon at the Palumbo Center.

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Senior guard Chassidy Omogrosso paced Duquesne with 18 points, 16 of which came in the second half. Senior forward Kadri-Ann Lass contributed 11 points towards Duquesne’s cause.

Mei-Lyn Bautista led George Washington with 20 points, matching a career-high with six three-point baskets. Senior forward Kelsi Mahoney added 15 points, all of which came with her five three-point baskets, which also matched a career-high total.

This result ends Duquesne’s three-game winning streak over George Washington.

GW offered an exclamation point to the first quarter as Bautista crossed over Duquesne’s Amanda Kalin and beat both the shot clock and game buzzer, draining a three-point basket which put the visitors up 16-9 after one quarter.

Duquesne shot 17.9% from the field in that first half and was 1-for-13 in the field in the second quarter, assisting twice on five total made baskets.

Under GW coach Jennifer Rizzotti, the team has had a defensive mindset and Sunday afternoon was no different.

GW led by as many as 24 points, an advantage which came with 2:30 remaining in the third quarter.

Early on in the fourth quarter, Duquesne was able to cut its deficit down to 10 points, but Mahoney drained her fifth three-point basket of the afternoon, which allowed George Washington to end a 12-0 Dukes run.

Duquesne still fought and benefited from Mahoney picking up a technical foul for taunting, which allowed Omogrosso to make two free throws which brought the Dukes to within eight points.

Omogrosso continued to cut into the deficit with a scoop and score and after GW’s Maddie Loder split free throws, she made a three, bringing Duquesne to within four points. Omogrosso went down in pain immediately after the shot and was assisted by training staff. She would return after Sarah Overcash split free throws for George Washington.

Amanda Kalin then drove to the rim and scored a layup for Duquesne, which brought the game back to within one possession.

After matching timeout calls, GW’s inbounds pass did not find Lexus Levy who the referees saw tripped on the play, though the visiting bench called for a foul.

Omogrosso drove back to the basket but came up short and Mahoney split free throws. Kalin then made another layup. On the GW inbounds, Bautista turned the ball over and Kalin missed a layup in transition.

Burt pleaded his case for a foul on the shot as both Omogrosso and Halle Bovell showed clear signs of pain.

Meanwhile Mahoney went to the foul line and again split free throws. GW was up three points and tried fouling Libby Bazelak to maintain the advantage, but when Levy made contact, it was not with the Duquesne guard and an unsportsmanlike foul was called.

Bazelak made both free throws and Duquesne was able to keep the basketball. After a timeout, Omogrosso was unable to make her shot and the game ended.

Prior to the game, Duquesne retired April Robinson’s #32, the third number retired in program history. Coach Dan Burt and former Duquesne coach Suzie McConnell-Serio co-presented Robinson with her framed retired jersey as director of athletics David Harper looked on.

Duquesne will begin a two-game road trip commencing Sunday at Fordham and continuing Wednesday at UMass.

Duquesne women’s basketball coach Dan Burt’s postgame presser: