Spiders Bound for Atlantic 10 Championship Game, Clinch First Championship Appearance Since 2009

Saturday, March 9

Henrico, Va.

11 a.m.

University of Richmond

28-5,16-2Atlantic 10

Duquesne

20-12,13-5Atlantic 10

Duquesne

Richmond

Spiders Bound for Atlantic 10 Championship Game, Clinch First Championship Appearance Since 2009

03/09/2024 | Women's Basketball

Box Score A-10 Recap Photo Gallery

HENRICO, Va. – Behind a combined 41 points between Grace Townsend and Addie Budnik, the No. 1-seeded University of Richmond women's basketball team downed No. 5 Duquesne, 80-66, Saturday morning in the Atlantic 10 Conference semifinal game. With the win, the Spiders clinched a spot in the A-10 Championship final for the first time since the 2009 season, and improved to 28-5 overall while the Dukes fell to 20-12 on the year.

Richmond Starters
Budnik, Doogan, Hill, Ryan, Townsend

How it Happened
Both teams got off to a slow start as Budnik downed a triple following a Duquesne layup for the first points of the game. After Townsend posted two points of her own, the Dukes were able to build a small lead, 8-5. The lead was short lived, however, as a jumper from Townsend and a triple from Siobhan Ryan tied the game at eight. The opposition again got out to a 12-8 lead, but another triple from Budnik and a layup from Townsend put UR ahead, 13-12. Budnik followed the play with another triple for 16-12 lead at the break.

Duquesne was able to get a quick shot off before the Spiders went on a 7-0 run for a 21-14 lead. The Dukes continued to apply pressure on the Spider defense, as they were able to chip away at the lead, 21-19, off a three pointer. Budnik then sparked a 6-0 spurt for the home team for a 27-19 advantage. Duquesne again scratched back at the lead, 27-25, but an 8-0 run from the Spiders courtesy of efforts by Ryan, Townsend and Budnik pushed the UR lead to 35-25. Doogan would net two free throws to end the half with the Spiders ahead, 37-27.

Out of the break, Townsend quickly got a layup off while Ryan followed the play with two points of her own for a 14-point lead, 41-27. After Duquesne scratched back to come within single digits, Doogan posted a layup, sparking a 7-2 run for the Spiders for a 50-36 lead. Budnik would get the final triple of the period off as Richmond headed into the final 10 minutes leading 53-41.

Richmond opened the final frame on an 8-0 run to build a 61-43 lead. Townsend and Ullstrom carried the offense through the spurt. Two free throws from the Dukes would end the scoring drought for the visitors, but Ryan posted a layup to keep the lead at 17, 65-48. After exchanging points throughout the frame, two free throws from Townsends and a layup from Doogan gave UR a 71-53 lead. Duquesne continued to foul the Spiders as time expired,allowing Richmond to post five free throws. Budnik posted the final layup for UR as Duquesne got a final layup off for the Dukes for the 80-66 Spider win.

Inside the Box Score

The Spiders make an appearance in the A-10 final for the first time since the 2009 season, and second all-time. Richmond fell 59-54 to former A-10 member Charlotte. In addition, the Spiders have only won two conference championships in the 1990 annd 1991 seasons in the CAA.
Richmond was paced by Budnik, who posted a season-high six three pointers and 22 points while Townsend posted 19 points.
Three other Spiders, Ullstrom (13), Doogan (13) and Ryan (13) also finished the game in double figures. Doogan recorded a team-high eight rebounds while Townsend posted eight assists to lead UR. Budnik added three blocks to her career block total this morning.
As a team, Richmond shot 28 of 58 (48.3%) from the floor, 8 of 22 (36.4%) from deep and 16 of 18 (88.9%) from the charity stripe. The team also posted 37 boards, 20 assists, five blocks, eight steals and 22 points off 15 Duquesne turnovers.
Richmond stretched the most wins in a season to 28.

A-10 Postgame Press Conference

Up Next
The Spiders take on the winner of No. 7 Saint Louis and No. 6 Rhode Island on Sunday at 4 p.m. in Henrico.