HENRICO, Va. -- Fifth-seeded Saint Joseph's led wire-to-wire besting Duquesne 66-45 Thursday afternoon in the 2026 Betterment Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Championship action.
Saint Joseph's was led by All-Conference Second Team selection Gabby Casey who tabulated 16 points. Both Aleah Snead and Faith Stinson posted 10-point efforts. Jill Jekot's rounded effort took nine points and 11 rebounds.
"Really proud of the way we came out today, starting the first quarter with a really great start," Saint Joseph's coach Cindy Griffin analyzed. "We were making shots, the ball was moving, we were making stops. We knew we had to get production from all five spots and that's got to continue all tournament. I am proud of the way we competed, and our defense was tremendous as well."
Defensively, the Hawks held Duquesne to three three-point baskets, four bench points and forced 20 turnovers.
Duquesne's Alexis Bordas took top-scoring honors for the second consecutive game, with her 13 points. Reina Green finished one rebound shy of a double-double, concluding with 11 points and nine rebounds.
"Today was a day where we got beat by a better team, a more disciplined team," Duquesne coach Dan Burt opened. "We didn't expect them to go 5-for-6 from the three-point line and 7-for-8 to start the game and kind of blitz us a little bit. Our kids fought back with resilience and optimism. Our third quarter, like a lot of times this year we didn't do a very good job offensively, I did not put us in good situations. You can't be undisciplined and play a poor game against St. Joe's and we did that and that concludes our season."
Saint Joseph's opened the game on an 8-2 run across the first 2:06 of game action. This included a pair of three-point baskets, in what provided a story of the first quarter.
The Hawks earned seven assists, making those on each of their first seven baskets of the game.
"We've been talking this whole past week and come out to start games and come out of halftime," Jekot said. "(Griffin) always says to throw the first punch, which helped us get a lead and ultimately helped us get the win."
Bordas attempted to find a counter with her and-one play, but Duquesne instead would not strike again for 2:29. By this point, Saint Joseph's built a double-digit advantage. That run would extend to 13-2, placing the lower seed in front by 14 points.
The Hawks had eight assists against one turnover in the first half, making five three-point shots. Duquesne on the other hand recorded six turnovers and did not make any of its six three-point attempts.
After Jekot pulled down a rebound with four seconds remaining in the opening period, Rhian Stokes drove for a layup, narrowly beating the buzzer, an exclamation point for a 25-14 advantage.
For much of the second quarter, Saint Joseph's had a double-digit lead, but Duquesne closed the frame on an 8-2 run.
Duquesne's eight points were scored by four different players and also featured several defensive stands as the Hawks were held without a basket for the final 2:19. The Dukes also were 8-for-9 from the free throw line, a clear advantage for their side.
It was an effort which energized Dukes fans in attendance, as Duquesne claimed momentum going into halftime down 34-28.
Duquesne went 5:18 without a basket in the third quarter as the Dukes picked up a trio of fouls. Saint Joseph's stretched the lead to 15 points, before Green converted Duquesne's first three of the contest, a corner effort. The Dukes first make came on its 10th attempt. Mackenzie Blackford then drew a charge allowing for Duquesne to string a couple of successful plays together.
Saint Joseph's outscored Duquesne 10-4 coming out of the final media stoppage. Cecelia Kay had a timely basket assisting the Hawks in answering Duquesne and Casey rounded out the scoring with a three-point basket.
"I think it's really important for me to be able to read the screens and what the defenders are doing," stated Casey. "That's been a really big focal point for me with coach (Melissa) Dunn who is my position coach. So just really it's taking my time, using pace, running off screens and reading the defense."
This placed Saint Joseph's in front 53-35 with 10 minutes to play.
While Duquesne was able to connect for a pair of three-point baskets, it would be its lone made field goals in the quarter's first seven minutes.
Saint Joseph's was able to build upon its connection and its lead, extending its advantage.
"We pick up for each other and that's who we are," explained Griffin. "We pick up for each other, and we play with and for each other. That's the complimentary assist that you see. The ball really moves; it doesn't stick a whole lot."
The Hawks will face Davidson in the second of four Friday quarterfinal matchups. The opening tip is slated for 1:30 p.m. This contest will serve as the rubber match between these two teams. Each won on its home court.