University of Richmond Athletics

Spiders Conclude Historic Season in NCAA First Round Versus No. 7 Duke
03/22/2024 | Women's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Despite a combined 35 points from Grace Townsend and Addie Budnik, the No. 10-seeded University of Richmond women's basketball team ended its historic 2023-24 campaign at the hands of No. 7 Duke in the NCAA Tournament First Round Friday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio. The Spiders ended the year at 29-6, while the Blue Devils move on to the second round and face Ohio State on Sunday.
Richmond Starters
Budnik, Doogan, Ryan, Hill, Townsend
How it Happened
After a quick jumper from the Blue Devils, Budnik netted her first triple of the game to put the Spiders ahead 3-2. Duke was able to go on a short 6-0 run to retake the lead at 8-3, but Maggie Doogan was able to keep the Spiders afloat with a trey to cut the deficit to 6-8 in favor of Duke. After DU built a 13-7 lead, the Spiders were able to bounce back and come within two, 13-11 from efforts by Townsend and Katie Hill. Townsend then posted a layup before Siobhan Ryan downed a triple to give UR a 16-15 lead. After the game was tied at 19, Budnik and Townsend combined for four points for a 24-19 lead. Ryan was able to get one more layup off for the Spiders as UR ended the first quarter with a 26-23 advantage.
Doogan opened the second quarter with a layup for a 28-23 Spider lead. After a pair of free throws from the opposition, Doogan and Budnik posted back-to-back triples to give Richmond a 34-25 lead with 4:09 left in the quarter. One last three pointer for Doogan would send the Spiders into the locker room ahead 37-28.
Out of the break, the Blue Devils stormed to tie the game at 37, posting nine-straight points. Townsend was able to keep Richmond ahead with a layup, but Duke was then able to build a 51-45 lead. Townsend rounded out the third quarter with a layup, sending the Spiders into the final 10 minutes down 51-47.
Duke continued to apply pressure on the Spider defense in the fourth, building a 14-point lead, before Doogan posted a triple to bring UR back within four. Two free throws and a layup from Budnik would end the game with Duke on top, 72-61.
Inside the Box Score
Richmond Starters
Budnik, Doogan, Ryan, Hill, Townsend
How it Happened
After a quick jumper from the Blue Devils, Budnik netted her first triple of the game to put the Spiders ahead 3-2. Duke was able to go on a short 6-0 run to retake the lead at 8-3, but Maggie Doogan was able to keep the Spiders afloat with a trey to cut the deficit to 6-8 in favor of Duke. After DU built a 13-7 lead, the Spiders were able to bounce back and come within two, 13-11 from efforts by Townsend and Katie Hill. Townsend then posted a layup before Siobhan Ryan downed a triple to give UR a 16-15 lead. After the game was tied at 19, Budnik and Townsend combined for four points for a 24-19 lead. Ryan was able to get one more layup off for the Spiders as UR ended the first quarter with a 26-23 advantage.
Doogan opened the second quarter with a layup for a 28-23 Spider lead. After a pair of free throws from the opposition, Doogan and Budnik posted back-to-back triples to give Richmond a 34-25 lead with 4:09 left in the quarter. One last three pointer for Doogan would send the Spiders into the locker room ahead 37-28.
Out of the break, the Blue Devils stormed to tie the game at 37, posting nine-straight points. Townsend was able to keep Richmond ahead with a layup, but Duke was then able to build a 51-45 lead. Townsend rounded out the third quarter with a layup, sending the Spiders into the final 10 minutes down 51-47.
Duke continued to apply pressure on the Spider defense in the fourth, building a 14-point lead, before Doogan posted a triple to bring UR back within four. Two free throws and a layup from Budnik would end the game with Duke on top, 72-61.
Inside the Box Score
- The Spiders were led by Townsend, who posted a team-high 18 points, while Budnik posted 17. Doogan also finished the game in double figures with 15 points on the afternoon.
- Doogan paced the team with seven rebounds while Townsend recorded eight assists.
- As a team, Richmond shot 24 of 50 (48%) from the field, 10 of 18 (55.6%) from three and 3 of 4 from the free throw line. In addition, the Spiders posted 22 boards, 15 assists and three blocks.
- Richmond posted its fourth appearance in the NCAA tournament after notching the Atlantic 10 Conference regular season crown and the 2024 A-10 tournament title in addition to going undefeated at home. UR finished the season 29-6 overall, 16-2 in A-10 action, 14-0 at home, 9-4 on the road and 6-2 on neutral courts.
Team Stats
UR
DU
FG%
.480
.431
3FG%
.556
.350
FT%
.750
1.000
RB
22
40
TO
16
11
STL
5
5
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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