Megan McConnell Scores 18, But Dukes Fall to Richmond, 80-78

Megan McConnell’s contested layup fell short at the buzzer as the Duquesne women’s basketball team lost 80-78 to Richmond Sunday afternoon at LaRoche’s Kerr Fitness Center.

Duquesne has now dropped five consecutive games, which is the longest streak in program history since 2007-08, Suzie McConnell-Serio’s first season with the team.

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The result drops Duquesne to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the Atlantic 10, with four of those six setbacks being by single digits.

McConnell played all 40 minutes Sunday, scoring a career high 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting. She also matched her high set in Friday’s loss to VCU with six rebounds.

After being held to two and zero points in the previous two games respectively, Laia Sole totaled 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 37 minutes of work.

Diamond Bragg amassed career high of her own with 15 points and the seven rebounds she totaled matched a personal best she set while at Wisconsin.

First-year guard Tess Myers achieved a double-figure point total for the second consecutive game and third time this season, tallying 13 points.

Duquesne again largely went with its seven-player rotation with Ny Langley making a very brief entrance into the game.

Richmond (5-3, 2-1 Atlantic 10) was led by Addie Budnik’s 18 points and six rebounds. Kate Klimkiewicz scored 14 points and Elaina Chapman 13 before she fouled out. The Spiders shot 49.1% from the field and 50% on its 3-point shots.

Following an inspired defensive performance against VCU Friday night, Duquesne got off to a slow start as Richmond made its first four three-point shots from the field.

As a result, Richmond opened on a 20-8 run. Though Duquesne would get some offensive rhythm going, it trailed by eight points after the first quarter.

Sole opened the second quarter by converting a three-point play that allowed for Duquesne to continue an 11-0 run that began towards the tail end of the opening frame. When Amaya Hamilton made a three-point basket to cap off the run, Duquesne took its first lead of the afternoon and Richmond called a timeout.

Much of the remainder of this quarter saw the teams trade the lead back-and-forth with McConnell burying a couple of triples during the chaos.

When the dust settled, a three-point basket from Grace Townsend placed Richmond back in front and its advantage at halftime was one point.

A tight third quarter kept the margin the same, putting more emphasis on the final 10 minutes.

Richmond was able to create a little separation leading by five points at the final media timeout. When Budnik made a three-point basket, Richmond led by seven points with just over two minutes remaining in regulation.

A triple and a layup from McConnell sandwiched a Richmond basket placing Duquesne’s deficit at four with less than a minute to play.

After McConnell buried a free throw and Duquesne stood on defense, Sole made two more free throws, it was once again a one-point game.

Richmond’s Claire Holt was unable to connect on a dagger three-point shot, however Townsend grabbed a crucial rebound and Siobhan Ryan split free throws before Duquesne called its final timeout to advance the ball which is when McConnell was unsuccessful in her attempt to send the contest to overtime.

Duquesne will next host Saint Joseph’s Friday at 6 p.m.

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