The Duquesne Dukes (14-9, 9-3 A-10) defeated the Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-21, 1-11 A-10) 79-62 on Wednesday night. The Dukes extend the all-time series history lead to 30-26 over the Minutewomen.
Throughout the first quarter, both teams went back and forth with who had the lead, and who was on a scoring drought. In the first quarter alone, the Minutewomen and the Dukes tied the game up three times and had two different lead changes, before Duquesne ultimately took the lead for good. After the first quarter, Duquesne gained momentum and never really looked back at UMass.
The Dukes also had two players earn their 1,000 career points during the game against the Minutewomen. Megan McConnell earned her 1,000th career point right at the end of the first quarter, as she only needed 4 points to hit the 1,000-point+ mark. Naelle Bernard was the second Duquesne player to earn her 1,000th career point. Bernard hit her 1,000th-point mark midway through the third quarter as she nailed a three-pointer to cross that threshold. The Dukes are now only the fifth team in the nation to have five different players all surpassing the 1,000-point mark in a single season, and the first team in the Atlantic 10 to do it.
The Dukes had three players in double-figure scoring on Wednesday night. Bernard led the way for Duquesne with 15 points and 6 rebounds, McConnell had 14 points and 7 assists, and Gabby Grantham-Medley had 11 points to round out scorers in double digits. Lauren Wasylson had 9 points, Tess Myers, Precious Johnson, and Jerni Kiaku each had 6 points, Annaya Townsend had 5 points, Kaitlyn Ammons had 3 points, and Amaya Hamilton and Kiandra Browne each had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Dukes.
The Minutewomen had two players in double-figure scoring on Wednesday night. Alexsia Rose led the way for UMass with a new career-high 23 points as well as 5 assists, and Stefanie Kulesza had 10 points and 6 rebounds to round out all scorers in double digits. Lilly Taulelei and Kristin Williams each had 7 points apiece, Bre Bellamy and Chinenye Odenigbo each had 6 points, and Dallas Pierce had 3 points to round out all scorers for the Minutewomen.
Duquesne travels home to the UMPC Cooper Fieldhouse to face the La Salle Explorers (7-14, 4-6 A-10) on Saturday, February 10th at 2pm. This will be the 46th all-time meeting between these two teams, and the Dukes have a 23-22 lead over the Explorers.
UMass travels down to Rose Hill Gym to face the Fordham Rams (8-15, 3-9 A-10) on Saturday, February 10th at 2pm. This will be the 50th all-time meeting between these two teams, and the Minutewomen lead the series 27-22 over the Rams.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Scoreboard Wednesday, February 7th:
- The Virginia Commonwealth Rams (20-3, 9-2) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (9-15, 4-7) 76-67.
- The Duquesne Dukes (14-9, 9-3) defeated the Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-21, 1-11) 79-62.
- The George Washington Revolutionaries (9-14, 2-9) defeated the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (4-18, 1-10) 69-48.
- The Richmond Spiders (20-4, 10-1) defeated the Rhode Island Rams (15-10, 7-5) 68-49.
- The Fordham Rams (8-15, 3-9) defeated the Dayton Flyers (10-13) 70-48.
Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Thursday, February 8th
- Loyola Chicago Ramblers (11-11, 5-6) at La Salle Explorers (7-14, 4-6) at 6:30pm on ESPN+.
- Saint Joseph’s Hawks (21-2, 10-1) at George Mason Patriots (18-3, 9-1) at 7pm on NBC Sports App/Peacock.
- Saturday, February 9th
- Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (4-18, 1-10) at Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (20-3, 9-2) at 1pm on ESPN+.
- Massachusetts Minutewomen (3-21, 1-11) at Fordham Rams (8-15, 3-9) at 2pm on ESPN+.
- La Salle Explorers (7-14, 4-6) at Duquesne Dukes (14-9, 9-3) at 2pm on ESPN+.
Featured Image: Ethan Pinsky, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
