Duquesne WBB Overcome Fourth Quarter; Snap Losing Streak

The Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Loyola Chicago 75-70 Saturday afternoon.

“We’re happy with how we played in the first three quarters, but obviously disappointed with the fourth,” Duquesne coach Dan Burt explained in a university-issued press release. “Some of that falls on me. we got a little out of rhythm with our rotation, but we have to be better. Anytime you win on the road in conference play, it’s a good win. We’ll celebrate it, but we’ll also take a hard look at what went wrong in the fourth. That said, I’m really pleased with our ball movement, 21 assists on 24 baskets is impressive, and our performance at the free-throw line. When you combine that with making 13 threes, you put yourself in a great position to win, but at one point in the fourth, we went cold. It wasn’t just the rotation; we missed shots and didn’t execute defensively. We’re still relying on a lot of young players, and I’m proud of their effort today. I’m happy with the win, happy with how we shot the ball for three quarters, and most importantly, happy with the pace and ball movement we showed throughout the game.”

Duquesne (16-9/7-7 A-10) is now 5-2 on the road in conference play and had a quartet of double-figure scorers, beginning with Megan McConnell’s 15 points and game high eight rebounds. McConnell also recorded three steals and in so doing, passed Korie Hlede for second on the all-time list.

Mackenzie Blackford contributed 14 points off the bench. Andjela Matic had her first start since Jan. 22 and posted 13 points. Gabby Hutcherson concluded play with 12 points.

An opportunistic Dukes side turned 23 turnovers into 26 points, while assisting on 21 of 24 made baskets.

Loyola Chicago (11-15/3-12 A-10) was led by a name quite familiar to Duquesne fans as Naelle Bernard posted a career high 25 points against her former team.  Audrey Deptula chimed in with 14 points, and Sitori Tanin’s balanced line had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Bernard scored two of the Ramblers first three baskets, both of which came from beyond the arc, but Duquesne was able to see Blackford and Matic match that in creating an 8-0 run. Loyola Chicago would never lead again.

That three-point advantage remained after one quarter, with the Dukes in front 17-14. Duquesne made five three-point shots in the period.

Loyola Chicago would tie the game once again, before Duquesne went on a 17-5 run continuing to utilize the three-point shot before Hutcherson completed the run with three two-point baskets. The last came in transition and activated a timeout.

Duquesne’s lead was 34-25 at halftime.

The Dukes turned up the defensive intensity in the third quarter, as the Ramblers shot 14.3% from the field in the third quarter.

A 17-2 Duquesne run broke the game open as the Dukes made five three-point shots. Raymi Coueta scored the last eight points of the run as Loyola Chicago called a timeout.

It was 53-29 in Duquesne’s favor after three quarters.

Loyola Chicago would score 41 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 72.7% from the field. It would cut the lead into single digits with just under a minute remaining, meaning the Dukes would have to make free throws.

Bernard had 18 points in the quarter including the final 10 the Rambler would score in this contest.

Duquesne remains on the road where it plays Fordham Wednesday at 7 p.m. The game will be carried by both ESPN+ and the YES Network.

The Dukes will be looking to avenge a 64-62 loss it had to the Rams on Jan. 5.