The Saint Joseph’s women’s basketball team faced a challenging contest against Duquesne on Wednesday evening, ultimately falling by a narrow margin of 67-64. Despite a valiant effort that saw them nearly erasing a significant fourth-quarter deficit, the Hawks could not secure the victory. The game, played inside Hagan Arena, showcased remarkable individual performances and strategic plays from both teams.

A Thrilling Encounter Ends in Heartbreak for Saint Joseph’s

The Early Struggles

The opening moments of the match were not kind to Saint Joseph’s. Laura Ziegler and Talya Brugler managed only three points between them in the first half, allowing Duquesne to capitalize on this weakness. The Dukes quickly built a commanding 19-5 lead, setting the tone for what would be an uphill battle for the Hawks. Duquesne, with a record of 10-6 (1-3 Atlantic 10), leveraged their early momentum to establish a substantial advantage. However, Saint Joseph’s did not go down without a fight. The bench players stepped up, contributing 15 points to help reduce the gap to just three points at halftime.

Second-Half Resurgence

Despite the initial setback, Saint Joseph’s demonstrated resilience in the second half. The team chipped away at Duquesne’s lead, using a combination of defensive pressure and timely scoring to keep the game within reach. Duquesne managed to extend their lead again in the third quarter, but the Hawks refused to relent. A crucial 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter brought the score within one point, igniting hopes of a comeback. Unfortunately, Duquesne responded with a strong finish, scoring eight of the next 11 points to pull ahead. Saint Joseph’s final push came up short, marking their first loss in conference play.

Individual Standouts

Several players stood out for Saint Joseph’s during this intense matchup. Aleah Snead led the charge with 10 points, complemented by three rebounds and three assists. Her performance marked her third double-digit scoring effort of the season. Mackenzie Smith also made history, moving into the top 10 in program history with 1,369 career points. She added nine points and tied her career-high with four blocks. Laura Ziegler was another key contributor, tallying nine points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Emma Boslet joined Ziegler in orchestrating the offense, combining for 10 of the team’s 17 assists.

Statistical Insights

Saint Joseph’s shooting efficiency was a mixed bag throughout the game. They finished with a 40.3% success rate from the field, converting 25 of 62 attempts. From the free-throw line, they struggled slightly, hitting 6 of 14 shots (42.9%). These statistics highlight areas where the team can improve in future games. Additionally, the defeat ended a seven-game winning streak for Saint Joseph’s and snapped a six-game win streak over Duquesne.

Looking Ahead

With this tough loss behind them, Saint Joseph’s must regroup quickly. Their next challenge comes on Sunday, January 12, when they travel to take on VCU. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. on CBSSN. This game will be an opportunity for the Hawks to bounce back and continue their competitive season.