Duquesne Women's Basketball
Duquesne WBB Continues A-10 Road Woes In Sunday Setback To La Salle, 72-56
A cold-shooting Sunday afternoon from the Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team, was a contributing factor in the Dukes dropping a 72-56 road decision against La Salle.
Duquesne (15-10/5-6 Atlantic 10) was paced by Precious Johnson’s 15-point, seven-rebound performance. It was her 10th double-digit point effort. Amaya Hamilton swished in 13 points.
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Megan McConnell contributed with 10 rebounds, 14th such effort. Tess Myers earned 10 points. The Dukes had shot under 30% from the field in each of the opening three quarters, and now fall to 1-5 on the road in A-10 play.
La Salle (15-11/6-5 A-10) saw Kayla Spruill pace the squad with her 13 points. Molly Masciantonio finish with a final line consisting of 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Mia Jacobs achieved 12 points.
The three-point line proved to be a significant difference in this game with La Salle connecting 13 times, versus Duquesne’s five.
Duquesne opened this contest scoring seven of the first 10 points, and when Naelle Bernard connected on her second three-point basket early on, the Dukes enjoyed a 10-5 advantage, a lead which turned out to be their biggest this game.
After Bernard’s basket, Duquesne would miss each of its next eight three-point shots, a streak which was span the remainder of the opening half.
La Salle would need less than a minute to take the lead after Charity Shears and Amy Jacobs each nailed triples, putting the Explorers in front.
A 10-3 advantage buoyed the home team into a 15-13 lead, as Masciantonio connected on a hook shot, with two seconds remaining in the opening quarter, which created the distance between these pair of Pennsylvania universities.
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Both squads would battle for control, with two McConnell free throws propelled Duquesne into brief advantages, and Ayanna Townsend was able to do the same.
With 5:55 remaining in the first half, Masciantonio connected with Spruill for another three-point basket, which allowed La Salle to get back in front, taking a lead it would not surrender.
Duquesne was held without a field goal for 5:06 of game action, until Johnson was able to convert a layup.
Despite this streak, La Salle’s edge was 27-24 at halftime.
Duquesne buried two three-point baskets to open the third quarter, tying the contest but another long streak, this time 6:59 without a field goal, allowed La Salle to take a 19-7 run, ending with Claire Jacobs burying a trifecta at quarter’s end, meaning the Dukes were facing an uphill battle, trailing 49-37 with 10 minutes to play.
La Salle would score seven of the opening eight points, making the final run a 24-8. The advantage would thrice reach 20 points, more than enough to secure victory.
If Duquesne desires a return into the winner’s circle, it will have to do so once again on the road as a 6 p.m. Wednesday rematch against St. Bonaventure awaits.
