By Bryanna McDermott | The Duquesne Duke
Despite playing what head coach Dan Burt called a “sloppy” game, the women’s basketball team came out on top for their sixth-straight win after they defeated Rhode Island 61-56 in Wednesday night’s matchup. The win brings the Dukes record to 22-2 and 10-1 in the A-10 conference.
In their 51st meeting, the Dukes and Rams kept the score continuously close. The teams tied 11 times in the course of the game, while changing leads 13 times. Eight points was the largest lead of the night, held by Duquesne in the fourth quarter.
Senior point guard, Deva’Nyar Workman, led the Dukes with a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Duquesne’s defense also held URI’s Samantha Tabakman to just 13 points, after Tabakman registered 30 points against Dayton on Sunday.
The first half ended with the score tied at 28, and Junior, Amadea Szamosi, leading the Dukes in scoring with seven points. Duquesne struggled with field goals early, making just 12 of their 34 attempts.
Duquesne’s April Robinson, began the second half by scoring her 1,438th point, moving the senior point guard into sixth place on Duquesne women’s basketball’s all-time scoring list. Robinson ended the night with just seven total points.
“Not every player is going to have a great game every game,” Duquesne senior, Deva’nyar Workman said when asked about her teammate’s performance.
However, Robinson may’ve had the most important play of the night. With 17 seconds left in the game, Robinson slid in front of Rhode Island point guard Kallie Banker and fell backwards on impact. An offensive foul was called and Robinson sank the free throws that solidified Duquesne’s win.
“That’s the game-winner,” Workman said.
Duquesne will face off against Saint Joseph’s at 2 p.m. on February 13 at the Palumbo Center
