Duquesne WBB Prevails; McConnell Earns Fourth Triple Double

Megan McConnell earned her fourth career double-double and second of the season as the Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team triumphed over Bowling Green 67-59 Saturday afternoon at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

This result wraps up Duquesne’s non-conference slate with a 9-2 record.

Duquesne men's and women's basketball on PSN is sponsored by Moon Golf Club.

McConnell’s triple double consisted of 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. She also is now tied for 10th place on Duquesne’s all-time scoring list with Kris Sebastian. McConnell also drew nine fouls in this game.

There were some personal milestones achieved for Duquesne in this contest. Andjela Matic accomplished two with her 20 points and nine rebounds.

Kiandra Browne sank a pair of late free throws giving her a personal best with 15 points. Additionally, Raymi Coueta’s five rebounds made it four accomplishments in this contest.

Duquesne outrebounded Bowling Green 40-30 and had 15 assists on 20 made baskets.

Bowling Green (6-5) had a quartet of Falcons achieve double figures in Erika Porter (19 points), Lexi Fleming (12), Paige Kohler (12) and Amy Velasco (10).

It was an ideal start for Duquesne’s defense as it forced three turnovers in Bowling Green’s first four possessions down the court. The effort also saw multiple near turnovers as the Dukes struck early.

A offensively based first quarter began at the opening tip when Megan McConnell found Gabby Hutcherson inside for a high-percentage shot.

It was a 5-2 start for Duquesne, before Bowling Green settled into the contest.

The Dukes would score six points to create separation, but the Falcons responded with seven of their own to take the lead.

Duquesne bounced back when Browne nailed a corner three and was fouled, making it a four-point play.

Browne’s effort allowed for Duquesne to maintain the lead, to the tune of a 20-15 advantage after 10 minutes of play.

While the first quarter proved to be an offensive affair, the opening minutes of its successor proved anything but. For the first three minutes, neither team was able to convert a shot.

A Mackenzie Blackford triple broke the ice for Duquesne, which had been relying on the other side of the ball to keep its advantage.

Blackford would follow this with another three-point basket and then Matic followed suit, placing the Dukes in front by double digits and activating a Bowling Green timeout.

Bowling Green made just one field goal in the second quarter, which came with Duquesne in command, a skid of 9:55 without converting a basket.

Duquesne closed the half on a 17-4 run as Blackford beat the buzzer, allowing for the hosts to take a 40-21 lead into the locker room as BGSU coach Fred Chmiel stood in a stunned silence.

Bowling Green opened the third quarter on an 11-3 run as Duquesne had several players battling foul trouble. The Dukes got back into form and did so on the defensive end, forcing two consecutive offensive fouls to build a 13-point edge into the media timeout.

Duquesne continued to find its footing in the quarter, following up missed shots, displaying individual efforts within motion and a pair of Browne three pointers increased the lead to 54-33 after three periods.

Bowling Green trailed by as many as 21 points early in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to seven points with less than two minutes remaining.

Matic twice sank a pair of FTs to create some separation, but Bowling Green extended the game with some long-distance three-point baskets.

Still, time was on Duquesne’s side allowing to come away with the win.

Duquesne opens Atlantic 10 play Dec. 29 against Davidson. The contest is scheduled for a noon tip and will be carried by ESPN+.

VIDEOS