Duquesne WBB Outclassed by Richmond

Richmond led wire-to-wire and in doing so convincingly routed the Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team 82-58 Sunday at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

Duquesne (15-8/6-6 A-10) was once again led by Megan McConnell who had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. McConnell is now two points away from surpassing April Robinson for fifth on the program’s all-time scoring list.

Jerni Kiaku also contributed with 11 points.

This is Duquesne largest margin of defeat this season, the previous being 20 points at Kent State Nov. 20. The previous most in a home contest with nine Jan. 15 against Dayton.

Richmond (20-5/11-1 A-10) was paced by Rachel Ullstrom’s 21 points and eight rebounds. Maggie Doogan contributed a double-double consisting of 17 points/12 rebs. Anna Camden added 11 points and Addie Budnik 10 points.

The Spiders won the rebounding battle 45-33 and the paint 32-14.

The Spiders started the game with an Ullstrom three-point basket as she accounted for both of the visitor’s first two baskets.

Richmond settled into the game by consistently rotating the ball around with each player getting a touch.

Duquesne meanwhile had its struggles, evidenced by shooting 1-of-7 on its three-point shots, some of which were rushed and did not touch the rim.

The Spiders were unable to make beyond those two shots heading into the first quarter timeout though many looks fell in and out. It was an 8-0 run for Richmond before Faith Walker snapped it with a three-point basket.

Richmond’s largest lead in the quarter was 12, when Faith Alston grabbed a steal and turned it into a transition layup.

After briefly coming out of the game due to discomfort, Kiaku returned and beat the buzzer in the first quarter, giving the Dukes what it hoped was momentum down 20-11 after 10 minutes.

Richmond continued its attack in the second quarter and when Ullstrom sank another three-point shot, Duquesne called a timeout down 19 points. At that point the Spiders sank seven threes, nearly all of which were open looks, while the Dukes had made five field goals.

Things would not get much better for Duquesne as it was outscored 20-6 in the quarter, shooting 14.3% from the field.

Richmond’s halftime lead was 40-17.

The Spiders lead would grow by an additional seven points in the third quarter as Duquesne would have its highest point output to that point with 13 and highest shooting percentage at 33.3%. The clip was higher, but it missed its final four shots from the field.

Richmond would score the final seven points of the period as Duquesne went scoreless for the final 2:46.

The quarter ended with an exclamation point for Richmond as the Dukes deflected an inbounds pass with 1.1 left. Camden was found on the inbounds pass and she beat the buzzer as Dan Burt bowed his head.

Duquesne won the fourth quarter 24-18, shooting 60% from the field but Richmond’s lead was insurmountable.

Both teams had technical fouls with Steph Ouderkirk recording one for Richmond after a Mackenzie Blackford three pointer and Burt got one shortly after.

The Dukes 58 points are the second-lowest output this season behind Wednesday’s road loss at Rhode Island

Duquesne will remain home Wednesday when it hosts Massachusetts with a 6 p.m. tip slated for ESPN+.

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