By Aaron M. Smith
Philadelphia, PA – Team defense has been instrumental for the Duquesne women’s basketball team throughout the 2012-13 campaign. Forcing turnovers and easy points have been a major component in the Dukes’ fourth consecutive 20 win season. Entering conference championship play, Duquesne has averaged 23 turnovers and 14 steals per game on defense. Friday’s match up versus the Virginia Commonwealth University was no different.
Led by Jocelyn Floyd, the program’s all-time leader in steals, Duquesne forced 20 turnovers, 16 coming off steals as the Dukes defeated the Rams, 64-58 in Atlantic 10 conference championship opening round action.
The tone was set early as Floyd quickly stole a Rams’ pass and hit a streaking April Robinson for the lay-up and an early 7-3 lead.
Both teams settled into the rhythm of the game until Robyn Parks found a wide open Carleeda Green for a trifecta, giving the Rams a 12-11 lead.
Duquense responded with a short jumper by Vanessa Abel to bring the score within one, 14-13.
VCU quickly countered with 6-0 run thanks in part to back to back field goals by Jessica Pellechio to extend their lead 21-13.
With the momentum of the game swinging in the favor of the Rams, Belma Nurkic picked the pocket of Adaeze Alaeze and took it the length of the floor for the field goal and the foul. The old fashioned three point play brought the Dukes within 5, 21-16.
The teams exchanged triples as the action starting with Janniina Koivunen drilled a triple after a Rams’ offensive rebound, 24-16.
Nurkic found April Robinson for a wide open three ball to bring Duquesne within five, 24-19.
A steal by Oditte Odisho lead to a Nurkic trifecta and the Rams’ lead was down to two, 24-22.
After a short jumper by Orsi Szecsi, Duquense entered the locker room with a 30-29 lead.
The second half picked up right where the first half left off as a steal and short jumper by Vanessa Abel pushed the Dukes lead to 35-31.
Floyd stole another pass and fed Abel for the easy lay-up, 37-31.
On the ensuing possession another steal by the Dukes’ all-time steals leader resulted in free throws for Abel. The red shirt senior hit one of two for a 38-31 lead.
Alijah Hall then created another steal while lead to a three point play by Wumi Agunbiade to extend the lead to 40-31.
VCU did not back down and would respond with a 13-4 run of its own and when Pellechio connected on her fourth three pointer of the day, the score was all tied at 44.
Szecsi countered with a three from the top of the key to give the lead back to the Dukes, 47-44. A lead they would never relinquish.
“Even though we dug ourselves a hole early on, I was proud of the way our team kept its composure,” said Coach Suzie McConnel-Serio. “ We just chipped away one possession at a time. “
Jocelyn Floyd led the Dukes with seven steals on the game.
Duquesne faces #4 seed Saint Joseph’s Atlantic 10 quarterfinal action. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 pm.
Aaron Smith can be reached at @PicknSplinters
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