Kiaku’s Heroics Advance Duquesne WBB In WNIT

Jerni Kiaku’s buzzer-beating off-balance two-point shot with 0.3 seconds remaining allowed the Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team to come back from 12 points down to defeat Longwood 70-68.

As the team celebrated together, everyone lifted Kiaku up as her game-winning shot was replayed on the jumbotron.

JERNI KIAKU OFF ONE FOOT!

Dukes lead with 0.3 to go!!#GoDukes | @jernikiaku pic.twitter.com/BWX7h0BcRC

— Duquesne Women’s Basketball (@DuqWBB) March 20, 2025

Kiaku earned her first ever double-double behind 17 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Megan McConnell posted 25 points, eight rebounds and seven steals.

This victory is Duquesne’s 20th of the season. The Dukes also won the rebounding battle 43-35.

Longwood was led by Malea Brown’s 20 points and eight rebounds. Amor Harris had 12 points and Frances Ulysse 10.

Both teams combined to commit 41 turnovers.

Duquesne got off to a 7-2 run early in the game as McConnell scored seven of her team’s first nine points in the opening five minutes and recorded an assist on the other basket. An aggressive defense was active on post touches forcing three early turnovers, while also being able to get to rebounds in a quicker manner.

Considering between McConnell and Longwood’s Kiki McIntyre the top two stealers in all of NCAA DI were on the same court, it could be understood that the teams combined for 15 total turnovers in the first quarter.

Longwood went to a press coming out of the first quarter media timeout and this created some problems for Duquesne. The Lancers led all of the NCAA in turnovers caused coming into this contest.

Duquesne led 17-14 after 10 minutes of play.

Longwood’s Malea Brown opened the second quarter by scoring the first four points as the Lancers stretched their lead to four points, before Duquesne’s passing again began to take form.

McConnell hit a three-point basket and then Nadia Moore did the same. On Duquesne’s next trip down the court, Moore took matters into her own hands driving to the basket and getting rewarded with a pair of free throws, which allowed the Dukes to get back in front.

Duquesne led down to the closing mark of the half but were unable to extend the lead. Longwood got a basket and got a couple of late free throws, meaning the Dukes advantage was reduced to 34-33 at halftime.

Both sides traded three-point baskets to start the third quarter, but Duquesne would miss its next seven shots from the field, allowing for Longwood to go on an 8-0 run. The Lancers would stretch the lead to 10 points as Duquesne went scoreless for 4:56, but Kiaku charged down the lane for a basket and just prior to the media timeout, Browne drew her third charge of the evening.

McConnell had two opportunities at the free-throw line but failed to connect on either, with Longwood making a three-point shot on the other end.

Longwood led by 12 inside of the final minute with its visiting crowd chanting defense as Duquesne looked to find something heading into the final quarter. McConnell did just that making a three-point shot.

Longwood led 54-45 after three quarters.

In the final quarter, the Lancers struck first only for McConnell to convert from three-point range and Kiaku to bury a mid-range jumper and pose after the finish. Duquesne’s sense of urgency extended to the rebounding battle which activated a Longwood timeout.

Duquesne, specifically Kiaku continued attacking getting her double-double and her and-one play separated the sides by three points.

It appeared for a bit that was as close as the Dukes would get, but some timely plays and a couple of well-timed passes from Kiaku to Raymi Coueta gave Duquesne the lead back.

Mackenzie Blackford’s three-point basket briefly gave a lead, though Longwood would have an answer of its own.

McConnell’s pair of free throws placed Duquesne in front again and after a timeout, the Dukes got their stop, but an offensive rebound and foul once more tied the game.

That was when Duquesne’s designated offensive coordinator Vanessa Abel called a play for Kiaku, who off a handoff, stepped back to bury the game-winning shot.

Duquesne will next play at Miami (Ohio) on Sunday at 1 p.m. in a broadcast carried by ESPN+.

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