Duquesne WBB Battles To Final Seconds In A-10 Championship Quarterfinal Loss

The Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team found itself down 10 points in the early stages of the fourth quarter, a 10-minute period which has been a weakness of the group in recent games, but in Friday’s Atlantic 10 Championship quarterfinal against top-seeded Richmond, the Dukes rallied, coming up just short in a 63-58 loss at the Henrico Sports & Events Center.

“I’m incredibly disappointed that the game ended in this fashion,” Duquesne coach Dan Burt opened to assembled media. “We have kids that played their absolute heart out. Richmond’s an elite-level basketball team and today we matched them. If I say many other things I’ll get fined, but we all saw what we saw and it’s really disappointing that it comes down to that. Kiandra Browne played an incredible basketball game today and I know she would have made three free throws, that’s my statement.”

Burt’s statement specifically refers to a play late in the fourth quarter where 20 seconds remained, and Kiandra Browne unsuccessfully attempted a three-point basket to beat the shot clock. It appeared that Richmond’s Addie Budnik fouled Browne in the arm, but nothing was called in that regard. A frustrated Burt got the attention of official Cynthia Do to no avail as the Dukes called a timeout, having to foul a team which has closed many games at the free-throw line.

Duquesne (19-12/9-9 A-10) was led by Kiandra Browne’s career-high 18 points on 9-of-15 shooting, to go along with seven rebounds.

“I think that no matter what team you may play for, what division, March is special,” explained Browne. “Just being able to have an opportunity like we did and have a team like we do that is so locked in and prepared and make incredible sacrifices that nobody even sees, it’s special, it’s fun. Yes, I’m a competitor myself, but I want to win for Meg, I want to win for (Gabby) Hutch(erson), I want to win for everyone else, the coaches included. Being in the fourth quarter of a game where everyone was against us, and no one thought we would be there is exciting and to go to battle with my sisters are moments I’ll be playing in my head for the rest of my life.”

Not far behind was freshman guard Mackenzie Blackford with her 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, which included four made three-point shots.

“We thought it was a real slight she didn’t make the All-Rookie Team and should’ve been there,” Burt offered. “We are certainly disappointed in that but that’s how people felt and that happens. Mack is a kid that has continued to get better through the season, and her best basketball is ahead of her. She was a point guard in high school and wasn’t a primary scorer in high school or club team. She was much more of a distributor coming out of high school so as we get into the postseason and into the summer, it’ll be interesting to see the role and how her role develops with some of the graduation that we have.”

Megan McConnell was held to five points on 1-of-7 shooting, though she did grab six rebounds and record four steals.

Richmond (27-5/17-1 A-10) saw Budnik score 15 points, Maggie Doogan 12 points and seven rebounds and Ally Sweeney had 10 points.

Coming into this contest, Burt had a clear game plan to remain in its press whether a make or a miss was recorded, a lesson which he took to heart after a lopsided regular season setback. He felt that Friday’s effort validated the system he put in place prior to the season.

Richmond led 18-14 after one quarter having made two more three-point shots and making two free throws, versus a Duquesne side which missed both of its attempts. The Dukes led for 2:13 in this contest, 1:32 came in the first quarter.

Despite Duquesne having that lead, it was an 11-0 Richmond run that created an eight-point difference on the scoreboard. All four Spider baskets were assisted during this barrage of scoring.

In the second quarter, Richmond failed to make a three-point basket in any of its seven assists, but Duquesne was unable to take advantage of this as the quarter was tied, meaning the Spiders led 31-27 at halftime. Duquesne went 4:20 without a field goal in the quarter, but its defense held strong.

Richmond won the third quarter shooting 53.8% from the field, setting the stage for the final 10 minutes.

A 15-3 Duquesne run in the fourth quarter had the Dukes on top, with five of the six Duquesne baskets being assisted. When Blackford found Andjela Matic for a layup, it was the Dukes in front for the first time since the first quarter.

It took 16 seconds for Richmond to have an answer as Alyssa Jimenez made a three pointer, handing the Spiders a lead it would not relinquish. A crucial offensive rebound allowed Rachel Ullstrom to put back a high-percentage layup. After Browne’s answer, Sweeney benefitted from a miscommunication for another uncontested layup.

This was when the shot-clock violation occurred, and Richmond did enough at the free-throw line to close the game. Duquesne attempted to find an open shot to continue the game but instead time expired.

Duquesne will now await its fate, hoping to earn a WNIT berth, something it alluded to after the game.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” concluded McConnell through tears. “I love this university, this program, these coaches, my teammates. Win or lose I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m just so proud of my teammates and how we showed up today. I don’t think anyone expected us to win or even come close, so I’m just super grateful and I hope we can make a really good run in the WNIT.”