Women’s basketball leads University of Richmond into a double digit win streak

The University of Richmond women’s basketball team continued their impressive season with an 82-58 victory over Duquesne on Feb. 9 at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh.

This win extends the Spiders’ winning streak to 10 games, bolstering their team record to 20-5 and marks the first win in Pittsburgh since January 2021 as well as the first 10-game win streak in over three decades, highlighting the team’s remarkable progress.

The Spiders showcased a balanced offensive attack, with multiple players contributing significantly to the scoreboard. 

Junior guard Rachel Ullstrom set the tone early with back-to-back three-pointers, one of which secured a historic milestone for her career. During the first quarter of the game, Ullstrom became the 30th Spider in program history to reach 1000 career points, and did so with a signature three-pointer. 

“She’s been great for us over the years,” Head Coach Aaron Roussell said in post game commentary. 

In the first quarter, Richmond established an aggressive defensive tone, forcing multiple turnovers that disrupted Duquesne’s offensive rhythm. This allowed Richmond to build an early lead, which they maintained throughout the game. The Spiders went into halftime on a significant lead of 40-17. 

“I didn’t think we did anything special, necessarily, offensively today,” Roussell said. “We just moved the basketball, found each other…I don’t think we shot lights out or anything, I just kind of felt like we built that lead possession by possession.”

Richmond balanced their act with four players scoring in double digits. This collective effort assured Duquesne’s defense wasn’t focused on a specific player, with multiple achieving significant wins on the court. Ullstrom paced the team with 21 points, followed by junior forward Maggie Doogan who scored a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Graduate forward Anna Camden scored 11 points, with graduate forward Addie Budnik following with 10 points. This collective effort sealed Richmond’s win. 

Richmond’s defense was relentless, converting 14 turnovers into 25 points. Duquesne attempted to push past UR, attempting multiple turnovers during the game. The Spiders’ defensive pressure, however, kept the Dukes from gaining any real momentum. 

“It’s been a tough place for us,” Roussell said. “There has been some aggravation here, so it was nice to get that win.”

Richmond returns home Feb. 13 to face Saint Joseph’s University, a team they previously defeated on Jan. 6, 2024. With a 6-13 record against the Hawks historically, the Spiders will look to extend their winning streak and continue their dominance in conference play.

Contact writer Farah Šertović at Farah.Šertović@richmond.edu