Richmond women race to first A-10 Tournament title for 4th NCAA bid

Updated Mar. 10, 2024 6:38 p.m. ET

Associated Press

HENRICO, Va. (AP) — Maggie Doogan scored 18 points and Richmond added its first Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament title to its first regular-season crown with a 65-51 win over Rhode Island on Sunday, sending the Spiders to their fourth NCAA Tournament.

Addie Budnik and Siobhan Ryan both added 14 points for Richmond (29-5), which last went to the NCAAs in 2005, getting an at-large bid after losing in the A-10 title game.

“The aura around our kids, (they) never said this but ‘I got ya coach,.’ Just unbelievable effort by them,” Richmond coach Aaron Roussell said. “Here we are. ... It's not just about this game, it's not just about this weekend. It's been a five-year build. I could not be prouder for all those guys, especially these seniors.”

Budnik had 12 points on four 3-pointers and the Spiders had seven 3s to race to a 35-19 halftime lead. After holding the sixth-seeded Rams to 3-of-15 shooting in the first quarter for a 14-7 lead, Richmond got 3s from Budnik and Doogan in an 8-0 start to the second quarter for a 22-7 lead.

Grace Townsend, who had 13 points, had a layup and Budnik a late 3 to close the first half.

The Spiders, who have set a school record for wins, scored the first nine points of the second half, with Ryan’s 3 making it 44-19.

The Rams (21-14) got no closer than 12 with less than two minutes to go. They were within 57-44 with more than five minutes to play but 26% shooting (19 of 72) stalled the comeback.

Teisha Hyman scored 13 points for Rhode Island and Dee Dee Davis had 11.

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