NCAA Women

Strong Second Half Pushes Duke into NCAA Second Round

Ohio State University

COLUMBUS, Ohio —Duke junior Reigan Richardson scored 25 points and pulled in seven rebounds as the seventh-seeded Blue Devils outscored No. 10 seed Richmond 44-24 in the second half to post a 72-61 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship at Value City Arena.

Richardson went 10-of-18 from the field and was perfect from the free-throw line for her sixth 20-point performance of the season. Ashlon Jackson bolstered the offense with 14 points with 12 of those points coming from behind the three-point arc. Defensively, Duke scored 17 points off turnovers and outrebounded the Spiders on the offensive end 19-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

  • The opening 10 minutes of action was a high-scoring affair as the teams combined for 49 points. Richmond, shooting 71 percent in the first quarter, held a narrow lead, 26-23, after one period.
  • Richardson poured in 13 or Duke’s 23 points during the stanza, tying her for fourth all-time for most points in the first quarter.
  • Duke led by as many as six in the first period, but a 12-2 late in the frame propelled the visitors ahead, 19-15, with 2:49 to play.
  • Scores by Camilla Emsbo and Richardson leveled the score at 19-19, but Richmond closed with seven of the final 11 points to take a three-point lead into the second.
  • Scoring slowed in the second quarter with the Spiders outscoring Duke 11-5 to take a 37-28 lead into the locker room.
  • A quick 6-0 run to start the third sliced…

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