PITTSBURGH – In a game that featured 14 lead changes and impressive offensive performances by both teams, the Duquesne women's basketball team came up just short in a suspense-filled Atlantic 10 matchup with Richmond. The Dukes fell to the Spiders by a score of 80-78 on Sunday afternoon at La Roche University's Kerr Fitness Center. The Dukes fall to 2-5, 1-3 on the season, while Richmond improves to 5-3 and 2-1 in Atlantic 10 play.

Megan McConnell stuffed the stat sheet for the Dukes with a game and career-high of 18 points, while also grabbing six rebounds and distributing six assists and turned the ball over just once in 40 minutes of action.

Laia Sole recorded 17 points, leading the Dukes with a game-high eight rebounds. Diamond Bragg posted her best collegiate performance to date, reaching double-figures for the first time with 15 points. She grabbed seven boards and contributed five assists. Tess Myers, who entered the game fresh off a 20-point performance against VCU, added 13 points, which included three triples.

Richmond shot 13-of-26 from 3-point land, with nine different players tallying a triple. The Spiders were led in scoring by Addie Budnik with 18 points and six rebounds. Also scoring double-digits for the Spiders were Kate Klimkiewicz (14 pts.) and Elaina Chapman (13 pts.)

DOWN TO THE WIRE: The Spiders led by six points at 79-73 with 1:12 remaining, as the Dukes were able to cut the deficit to a single point with 36 seconds remaining after McConnell sunk a 3-pointer and converted a layup while being fouled on back-to-back possessions, along with a pair of made free throws from Solé. Richmond missed a trey on its next possession, but earned the offensive rebound as Duquesne was forced to foul. The Spiders converted one of the free throws to extend its lead to 80-78, as the Dukes took control of possession at midcourt following a timeout with seven ticks of the clock remaining. McConnell could not convert a contested layup in the closing seconds, as Richmond pulled out its second consecutive victory.

FIRST QUARTER

Richmond started the game on fire, making its first eight field goal attempts, which included four 3-pointers to grab an early 20-8 lead with 4:10 remaining in the quarter.

The Dukes, who shot well during the opening period as well, quickly cut the 12-point deficit to four after a hook shot from Solé, and and-one layup from Bragg and a 3-pointer from Myers. Richmond scored eight of the final 12 points in the frame, taking a 28-20 lead into the second quarter.

Six Spiders made 3-pointers during the first quarter, while Solé led the Dukes with six early points. Richmond shot 11-of-15 (73.3%) from the floor, including 6-of-8 (75%) from long range during the first period. Duquesne countered by shooting 9-of-14 (64.3%) from the floor.

SECOND QUARTER

The Dukes settled down defensively as the second quarter began, not allowing a field goal for nearly the first four minutes of the quarter. As a result, Duquesne took off on an 11-0 run to take a 29-28 advantage.

Neither team led by more than four the rest of the quarter, as Richmond would take a 42-41 lead into the locker room.  

Richmond was held in check, only shooting 4-of-16 during the second frame.

McConnell led the Dukes with eight points in the second quarter, as Duquesne outscored Richmond 21-14 to get back into the game. After 20 minutes, McConnell posted 12 points without missing a shot (4-4 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT), while earning five rebounds and five assists.

THIRD QUARTER

Duquesne built its largest lead of the game of three points at 47-44, as both teams traded baskets the entire quarter. A last second triple from Richmond's Claire Holt lifted the Spiders to a slim one-point lead at 62-61 after 30 minutes.

Myers posted eight points during the quarter, converting all three of her attempts, which included two from long range.

FOURTH QUARTER

The Spiders constructed a seven-point lead on two separate occasions at 70-63 and 77-70, but the furious Dukes sliced the deficit to a single digit with 36 seconds remaining. After a made free throw made it a two-point lead for Richmond at 80-78, the Dukes could not convert a layup attempt in the closing seconds, falling to the Spiders at the Kerr Fitness Center.  

Bragg (7 pts.) and McConnell (6 pts.) registered 13 of Duquesne's 17 points in the quarter.

NOTES: The Dukes turned the ball over just seven times, after turning the ball over 23 times against VCU last game … Duquesne's 19 assists are a season-high …

UP NEXT: The Dukes look to get back to their winning ways at La Roche next weekend, hosting a pair of Philadelphia foes in Saint Joseph's (Fr. Jan. 15, 6:00 p.m.) and La Salle (Sun. Jan. 17, 2:00 p.m.).