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Duquesne Women's Basketball

Duquesne WBB Pulls Away Late; Matches Program Record

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The Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team matched a program record with 13 home victories, following an 83-69 victory Saturday afternoon at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

Duquesne (17-10/7-7 Atlantic 10) was led by Megan McConnell’s career-high 23 points and 18 rebounds, good for her 11th double-double of the season. McConnell flirted with a triple double as she finished with eight assists, all in front of her brothers including Indiana Pacer T.J. who took in his first Dukes game.

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McConnell also grabbed her 500th career rebound in this game.

Precious Johnson returned to the court after missing Wednesday’s game against St. Bonaventure, totaling 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting. Johnson also drew five fouls in the second quarter, assisting the Dukes in shooting 66.7% from the field in that period. She also moved up to seventh in program history in blocks.

Amaya Hamilton also had an all-around game with 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Naelle Bernard contributed 10 points off the bench.

The Dukes doubled up the Spiders 40-20 in points in the paint and were unkind hosts in the rebounding battle, to the tune of a 42-23 advantage, while also shooting 57.9% from the field.

Richmond (16-9/6-6 A-10) saw both Addie Budnik and Grace Townsend score 12 points, while Katie Hill contributed 10 points.

This game had eight ties and 11 lead changes.

Duquesne shot 53.8% from the field in the first half, but was not as clinical from three-point range, firing at a 30.8% clip, which included each of the first five triples falling off the mark.

Richmond led by as many as nine points in the opening quarter, but a 5-0 Dukes run towards the end of the period, allowed for the lead to be cut to 19-14.

Duquesne scored the opening five points of the quarter as Johnson started to get involved in the post. Frequently Johnson was able to find the ball in the post, setting up the offense. If she was unable to score, she would draw a foul.

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Richmond was firing its close-range shots early as it was held scoreless for 3:57 and would shoot 18.8% from the field in the second quarter.

The Dukes had this game tied up heading into the media timeout and took their first lead when Naelle Bernard drove for a layup.

Though Duquesne was at an 11-1 disadvantage in turnovers, it would take a 32-27 edge into halftime.

The Dukes got off to a fast start in the third quarter totaling the opening eight points of the period as Richmond called a timeout.

Not only would the Spiders recover, but they would take the lead after converting seven of its final eight shots from the field, five of which were from three-point range.

Richmond would score 32 points in the third quarter and led 59-53.

The Spiders struck first to open the fourth quarter, but a 10-1 Duquesne run placed the Dukes back in front as the sides began to trade baskets.

Duquesne would break through with a 20-4 6:52 in final quarter to close out the game and secure the victory.

The Dukes will seek to set the program record for most home wins when it hosts Loyola Chicago Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

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Sandy Schall, Coldwell Banker
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