The first one was a classic. It also revealed that there will be a new champion. The A10 Women’s semifinals at Henrico Sports and Events Center gave a number of stories packed into two contests.
Saint Joseph’s 50 Richmond 49
Maybe the word ‘classic’ is overused but what other way could you describe it ? Top seed and defending champion Richmond was defeated in a game not decided until after the final buzzer. The game was tied when Richmond’s Maggie Doogan scored the go ahead basket with 11 seconds remaining. Following a time out, Laura Ziergler of Saint Joseph’s converted from inside the lane as the buzzer sounded. A review of the replay by the officials followed with the referee giving a signal that the game was over. The Richmond bench and crowd were ecstatic feeling the signal meant no basket. In the next moment the official gave a signal that deemed the shot was good. The Richmond bench went from joy to devastation and tears while the Hawks celebrated their second thrilling win in two days.
In a game with seven ties and 16 lead changes there were six lead changes alone in the final six minutes. “Every time they went on a run, we answered,” commented Saint Joseph’s coach Cindy Griffin. “And that went down to the last buzzer…they played really well together and they believed.”
Richmond’s Rachael Ullstrom led all scorers with 16 points while Mackenzie Smith paced the Hawks with 13. The Hawks forced Richmond into a 23% turnover rate en route to a significant 23-12 edge in points off turnovers.
George Mason 63 Davidson 50
The milestones keep coming. George Mason’s victory qualified them for their first appearance in the A10 championship game. The Patriots also captured a program best 25th victory.
Growing the program through this feels amazing.” Mason’s Nalani Kaysia remarked. “That we can have a legacy and chance to leave a legacy here.”
George Mason extended an eight point lead at intermission with a 10-1 run to open the third period. Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis; group never looked back.
The Patriots capitalized on the Wildcats’ 21 turnovers, scoring 26 points off those miscues. Davidson was limited to a 76 offensive efficiency, 18 below their season norm of 94. Katie Donovan of Davidson and George Mason’s Zahirah Walton shared scoring honors with 16 points each.
Davidson, like George Mason, was appearing in their first A10 semifinal. “I wouldn’t trade this group,” Davidson coach Gayle Fulks remarked. “I wouldn’t trade the process we went through to get to this point.”
Championship Game:
Saint Joseph’s vs. George Mason
The fourth seeded Hawks face second seeded George Mason. This will be Saint Joseph’s first A10 final appearance since 2018. They last captured the title in 2013, also as a fourth seed. As noted, this is George Mason’s first trip to the title game. The Patriots dropped their two regular season meetings with Saint Joseph’s.
