The Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team handed Richmond its first Atlantic 10 loss of the season 72-59, and in doing so gave coach Dan Burt his 100th conference win.
Duquesne (11-8/6-2 Atlantic 10) was paced by Jerni Kiaku’s conference best 18 points, while burying all eight of her free throws and achieving her season high in minutes. Amaya Hamilton contributed 16 points, Ayanna Townsend 14 points and eight rebounds and Megan McConnell earned her sixth double-double of the season, consisting of 11 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
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In the victory, Duquesne outrebounded Richmond 44-29, recorded 23 bench points and won the paint battle 38-30.
Richmond (17-4/7-1 A-10) saw Siobhan Ryan lead the team with her 13 points, Grace Townsend 11 points and Addie Budnik 10 points.
Richmond dictated play early winning its matchups and also creating five steals, while the Dukes opened 1-for-7 from the floor.
Following the stoppage, Kiaku became a factor. Her hustle and tenacity were both rewarded, and her and-one play got Duquesne going. It would be one of four in the first half, and Kiaku was involved three of these exchanges.
Duquesne had a 15-13 lead after one quarter.
In the second period, play sped up, more towards the Dukes tendencies and post touches were rewarded by Kiaku and Townsend finding the basket.
Lauren Wasylson also provided a first-half spark with a three-point basket off a McConnell pass in which the later held three fingers to the side once the ball hit the air. Wasylson also cut towards the basket and utilized a mismatch for a layup.
A 3:05 stretch without a field goal, stunted some of Richmond’s development and the Dukes scored the final four points of the stanza, leading 36-23 at halftime.
Duquesne continued its aggression in the early stages of the third quarter and when Nae Bernard made a reverse layup the run reached 10-0, and the Spiders used a timeout.
Bernard later helped her own cause with the Dukes fifth and-one play of the game. Duquesne led by as many by 20 in that third quarter, settling for a 15-point advantage after 30 minutes.
Richmond immediately scored four points as Duquesne coach Dan Burt spent a timeout, to refocus his team.
From that stoppage of play on, the Dukes recovered and their advantage never reached single digits.
On Duquesne’s final possession of the contest, McConnell encouraged the fans to make noise, victory secured as the shot clock went off. When the final horn sounded, McConnell leapt into a teammate’s arms.
Duquesne will head into its hall of fame weekend with continued momentum as it prepares for a home contest Sunday at 2 p.m. against Loyola Chicago. Both April Robinson and the 2015-16 NCAA Tournament team will be recognized during Friday’s hall of fame event and throughout the weekend.