Duquesne WBB Bounces Back With Strong Defensive Effort
The Duquesne Women’s Basketball Team rebounded from its road setback allowing its defense to lead the way to a 58-53 victory over Kent State Monday evening at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
Duquesne (5-1) was led by Mackenzie Blackford‘s 19 points on a 6-for-9 shooting performance in a career high 35 minutes. The 19 points were one away from matching a career high.
Harriet Ford earned her third consecutive double-double in the final minute amassing 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Alexis Bordas put together 11 points.
As a team, Duquesne recorded a season high 10 blocks, five of which came from Raevin Washington. The Dukes also had 17 assists on 20 made baskets. Four of those helpers came from Reina Green, a career high.
Kent State (3-4) was held to a 28.6% shooting percentage and saw Dayton transfer Riley Rismiller record 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rylee Kalocay scored 11 points and teammates Mya Babbit and Tatiana Thomas earned 10 apiece.
It was a slow start for Duquesne trailing 5-1 going into the first media timeout, but despite the lack of scoring was defensively engaged, which allowed the offense to get going shortly after.
Aided by five blocks and 11 points off turnovers, Duquesne utilized effort plays to jump ahead, leading 17-11 after the first quarter.
Despite Duquesne missing several layups, it defensively kept up its intensity, holding Kent State without a field goal for the final 4:01 of the half and in doing so led 27-20 at halftime.
Duquesne built on this advantage as Ford carried over her intensity from the latter stages of the first half. This helped build the lead to 15 points, and 45-33 after 30 minutes.
Kent State made a mini run in the fourth quarter and then appealed to the referees as to whether the ball deflected off Ford’s leg before going out of bounds. The officials took a look and allowed the play to stand. As the inbounds play began, Golden Flashes coach Todd Starkey believed he saw something and yelled his displeasure, all while Blackford drained a three-point shot.
Duquesne was able to close out the game and will play two games in the Navy Classic, first against Liberty Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
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