Spiders Drop Overtime Battle at George Mason Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, February 24

Fairfax, Va.

3 p.m.

University of Richmond

24-5,14-2Atlantic 10

George Mason

22-5,13-3Atlantic 10

OT 1

Richmond

George Mason

Spiders Drop Overtime Battle at George Mason Saturday Afternoon

02/24/2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. – Despite a 20-point game from Maggie Doogan, the University of Richmond women's basketball team dropped an overtime thriller, 82-76, at George Mason Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Spiders snapped a seven-game win streak and fell to 24-5 on the year and 14-2 in Atlantic 10 Conference action while the Patriots improved to 22-5 and 13-3 in conference play.

Richmond Starters
Budnik, Doogan, Ryan, Hill, Townsend

How it Happened
The Patriots were able to net an early triple before Siobhan Ryan got the first points off for the Spiders with a layup to keep the Spiders within one, 3-2. Both teams exchanged points throughout the first quarter, as the Spider offense was only able to build a three-point lead twice against the fiery Patriots. Townsend was able to put the Spiders ahead by one, 16-15, but two made free throws ended the first quarter with Mason ahead, 17-16.

Richmond opened the second 10 minutes with a triple to give UR a 19-17 lead, but Mason immediately responded with a hoop-and-harm to build a 22-19 lead. Townsend and Doogan combined efforts and took the lead at 23-22, but the teams would continue to exchange points on each coast. A 7-0 run from the Patriots would end the half with the Spiders trailing 37-31.

Out of the break, Budnik netted a triple to scratch back at the Mason lead, 37-34. The Patriots immediately responded with a jumper, but Ryan netted a trey of her own to keep Richmond within striking distance, 39-37. George Mason was able to build a six-point lead, 43-37, following a short 4-0 spurt before the Spiders found their offensive foot and stormed back to come within one, 43-42 following efforts by Katie Hill and Budnik. After exchanging points, Townsend gave the Spiders the lead, 48-47, off an and-one play, but a 7-0 run from the Patriots would send Richmond into the final 10 minutes trailing 54-48.

George Mason opened the fourth quarter with a layup to push the lead to 56-48, and continued to apply pressure on the Spider defense with back-to-back buckets. Ryan and Doogan were able to cut the deficit to 58-56, but a jump shot from Mason maintained the Patriot lead at 60-56. Doogan then netted another trey to put the Spiders within one, 60-59. The teams then exchanged baskets on both coasts before Doogan again made it rain from three to give UR a 68-67 advantage with 1:10 left on the clock. Two free throws from Mason would end regulation at 68-68, sending Richmond into overtime for the first time since 12/10/23 versus App State.

Mason came out swinging in overtime, as two back-to-back buckets gave the Patriots a 73-68 lead. After Budnik posted a layup, the Patriots posted five points to build the lead to 78-70. Doogan and Ryan were able to get two final treys off, but the effort wasn't enough as George Mason took the overtime win, 82-76.

Inside the Box Score

The Spiders were led by Doogan, who posted 20 points on 7 of 14 from the field and 4 of 10 from deep. She posted her 11^th career game in double figures.
Four other Spiders, Townsend (16), Budnik (13), Ullstrom (12) and Ryan (11) also ended the game in double figures as Doogan posted a team-high 11 rebounds, and Townsend was just shy of a double-double with a season-high nine assists.
The game marked the first overtime game for Richmond since App State on 12/10/23 (W, 80-77).
As a team, the Spiders shot 23 of 58 (39.7%) from the field, 12 of 28 (42.9%) from deep and 18 of 20 (90%) from the charity stripe. In addition, UR posted 36 rebounds, 18 assists, six blocks and five thefts.
The lead changed 18 times in the game and was tied eight times.

From Head Coach Aaron Roussell

Up Next
The Spiders are back in action on Wednesday, as the team plays host to Duquesne inside the Robins Center at 6 p.m. The team then rounds out the regular season at St. Bonaventure on Mar. 2 at 1 p.m.