Duquesne WBB’s Four-Game Winning Streak Comes To An End

In a game which saw nine ties and 13 lead changes, the Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team fell a play short, dropping a 59-57 road contest to Rhode Island Wednesday evening, ending its four-game winning streak.

“We didn’t do enough within the time frame of the game to win,” Duquesne coach Dan Burt stated in a team-issued press release. “We were stagnant offensively early, and we did not make timely decisions. We had missed assignments by almost the entire roster, and we missed shots that we typically make while also missing free throws. So, forget the timing error at the end of the game, we didn’t do enough to win on the road.”

Duquesne (15-7/6-5 Atlantic 10) again had Megan McConnell take top scoring honors with her 22 points, while also grabbing seven rebounds and recording five steals. McConnell had three and-one plays in the second half.

Jerni Kiaku had 11 points to go with seven rebounds and a couple of early Andjela Matic three-point baskets, led to her playing 25 minutes, her highest total since Dec. 21.

Rhode Island (12-12/7-4 A-10) saw Sophia Vital compile a career-high 20 points, passing her previous best which also was against the Dukes. Vital took advantage of Duquesne’s “goalie defense” in which she was left open from beyond the arc. Both Hawa Komara and Harsimran “Honey” Kaur had steady games with nine points and 12 rebounds and nine points and eight rebounds.

The Rams opened up 9-5 before a Matic three pointer got the Dukes back into the game heading into the opening media timeout.

Better get a hand up on Anj!🎯#GoDukes pic.twitter.com/JhjKToKcGS

— Duquesne Women’s Basketball (@DuqWBB) February 5, 2025

Another three, this time out of Nadia Moore’s hands gave Duquesne a brief lead, which lasted all of 20 seconds, as a returning Ines Debroise matched the shot.

Matic’s second triple with 34 seconds remaining in the quarter again allowed the Dukes to get back in front. Despite conceding a basket afterwards, Duquesne led 17-16 after 10 eventful minutes.

Both teams were matching each other seemingly shot for shot, with Rhode Island getting the better of it by halftime.

A McConnell three-point basket awarded Duquesne a one-point edge, but Rhody scored seven of the last nine points with an open Vital trifecta culminating that into a 32-28 halftime lead.

Much of the third quarter was also a one-possession affair before a McConnell three-point play brought the Duquesne advantage to four points, but the Rams would rebound and tie.

McConnell was at it again late in the third period scoring off a Kiandra Browne pass. Palmire Mbu’s rebound and uncontested score tied the game at 44 heading into the fourth quarter.

Duquesne struck first in the fourth quarter after another McConnell and-one play. Vital again answered and McConnell followed suit, though this time she missed the free throw. Sophie Phillips hit her lone three-point shot of the game after this miss.

AND 1!!!! Meg being Meg💪#GoDukes | @megg_mcconnell4 pic.twitter.com/6ekMnegwLs

— Duquesne Women’s Basketball (@DuqWBB) February 6, 2025

Rhode Island appeared in control up four points with 1:29 to play, but Moore drained a three-point shot.

McConnell forced a turnover and Kiaku, a 77.3% free throw shooter went to the line, where she missed both. Kaur was unable to handle the rebound, allowing Duquesne to maintain possession.

A McConnell miss on a drive allowed for the Rams to make a defensive stand. Kaur would split free throws, giving the Dukes a chance for the tie or win.

Instead, Duquesne turned the ball over. Rhode Island appeared to win the jump ball then called a timeout with 1.3 seconds remaining, but the officials went to the monitor for a replay.

The review was lengthy and ultimately it was deemed that due to human error at the gameday table, the clock was incorrect, and that more than 1.3 seconds had elapsed ending the game in an unconventional manner.

Duquesne returns home for Sunday afternoon’s National Girls & Women in Sports Day against Richmond in a game which will tip off at 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.