HENRICO -- Duquesne's 17-0 third quarter run negated a 16-point VCU advantage, setting the stage for a 60-52 victory during Wednesday afternoon's first round of the 2026 Betterment Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship.
The 12th-seeded Dukes were led by All-Rookie Team selection Alexis Bordas' game-high 24 points, while teammate Mackenzie Blackford added 17 points. Raevin Washington posted a balanced game of nine points and nine rebounds.
"Certainly, a tale of two halves, we couldn't throw it in the ocean the first and second quarters, we were 1-for-16 from the three-point line and really playing into maybe what VCU's gameplan was, which was to take threes... I think our offensive coordinator RJ Bell did a really great job of us really abandoning our offense and going five out. That caused a lot of problems for them and our kids really executed it just playing with some freedom and flow. I'm really happy for them, they are great young women. Excited about being the youngest team in the A-10 and sort of finding our groove now and for what our future holds tomorrow."
VCU was paced by Makennah White's 11 points, and four three-point baskets. Katarina Knezevic contributed nine points and eight rebounds.
"I was very pleased with how our team competed today," VCU Interim Head Coach Kirk Crawford stated. "We've had a difficult year as far as injuries... I am proud of this team for continuing to compete and be competitive in practice and play with character. The result is not what we wanted, but I am proud of how they responded today and in practice the last 4-to-6 weeks."
Duquesne was able to convert three of its first four shots from the field but missed each of its first seven three-point efforts from the field, going scoreless for a 6:45 stretch that allowed VCU to go on a 12-0 run.
VCU's defense was up to the task in the first quarter evidenced by forcing six turnovers, while the offense committed one of its own.
Duquesne was able to find a response towards the end of the first quarter, with Bordas compiling four points, bringing its deficit to 15-10 after 10 minutes.
VCU's defense continued to hold Duquesne off the scoresheet in the second quarter, as the Dukes went 6:03 without a basket, a streak dating back to the opening stanza. The Rams would go on a 10-1 run during this time.
Duquesne's streak without a field goal ended when Reina Green converted a layup. The Dukes were able to score six consecutive points towards the end of the quarter, concluding with Bordas converting from three-point range, the first Dukes' make from distance in 16 first half attempts.
VCU played out its final possession and with Duquesne having a foul to give, it instead defended and conceded a three pointer to Knezevic as the Rams led 30-19 at halftime.
In the third quarter, VCU was able to hold a slight advantage, though a Washington midrange shot brought Duquesne back to within 12 points.
The Dukes would then go on their first run of the game, to the tune of a 12-0 advantage. It was a streak which began with a defensive stop and ended with a Bordas three-point basket, activating a VCU timeout, as the Rams lead was shortened to four points.
Duquesne's run extended to 17-0 with Blackford connecting for a three-point shot to give the Dukes its first lead since the opening quarter.
"We knew we've been in this position before where we've had many games where we've been down and fought back," determined Bordas. "We just reminded each other to keep pushing, keep fighting like we've done all year. We know basketball is a game of runs and we had our run and kept building off each other, which each person contributing greatly."
Bordas drew a foul towards the end of the quarter, and her two made free throws, gave Duquesne a 40-39 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
In the early stages of the fourth quarter, Duquesne was able to play at its pace, speeding VCU up and Blackford converted from three-point range once again.
VCU attempted to get back into the game cutting its deficit to one point, but Bordas supplied the answer, with her trademark high-arching three-point shot.
Duquesne's defense was then able to get a stand putting it in the driver's seat.
Bordas faked out a defender and then beat the buzzer, stretching Duquesne's advantage back into two possessions.
Another key down the stretch was Washington's defense. With her balanced scoring and defensive presence, she was a +20 in the second half.
"She's someone who listens to everything I say, and she likes to listen and give a stink eye every once in a while," Burt explained. "Potential is such a dirty word and we've talked about her potential for a year, and she's really started to realize her potential over the last eight or nine games, and it couldn't happen to a better human being. Her brother had a sign in the stands that said let her cook, and we let her cook and she had some fun today."
Duquesne will advance to face Saint Joseph's in the second round, a contest which will tip off at 1:30 Thursday afternoon. The Hawks got the better of both regular season meetings between the sides.