George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
<b>DUQUESNE</b>
GW Rallies Late, but Falls to Duquesne, 61-53
1/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 26, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - After trailing by as many as 18 points in the second half, the George Washington women's basketball team staged a late rally to within 58-53 with less than a minute to play, but Duquesne held on to defeat the Colonials, 61-53, in an Atlantic 10 Conference matchup at Charles E. Smith Center Wednesday.
Junior Tara Booker recorded her fourth career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds and sophomore Danni Jackson led all scorers with 16 points. The duo combined to make just 10-of-34 field goals and GW shot just 28.6 percent as a team, including 3-of-20 from beyond the three-point arc.
It was the Colonials third straight loss in the series and first-ever to the Dukes at Smith Center in 24 games. The past five meetings have been decided by eight points or less.
Duquesne (17-3, 4-1 A-10), which won its NCAA Division I leading 11th road game of the season, reached its largest lead of the game at 50-32 with 13:07 remaining and led 57-42 with less than six minutes to play.
From there, the Colonials held the Dukes without a field goal the final 5:35 and used an 11-1 run - sparked by two baskets from Jackson and a Booker three-pointer - to claw to within five points at 58-53 with 40 seconds remaining.
However, DU sealed the victory with three late free throws and GW missed five shots over the last 25 seconds for the 61-53 final margin.
Duquesne made just 5-of-24 shots in the second half and finished 33.3 percent from the field on the night. The difference came in the Dukes' pressure defense, which amassed 15 steals and forced 20 turnovers to help the visitors to a 19-11 edge in points off giveaways.
Alex Gensler made four 3-pointers and led Duquesne with 14 points. Kelly Britcher added a pair of 3-pointers and 13 points off the bench and freshman Wumi Agunbiade chipped in 11.
Junior Tiana Myers also finished in double figures for GW with 10 points and redshirt sophomore Brooke Wilson added nine points and nine boards. Redshirt senior Ivy Abiona matched Booker with a game-high 12 boards to help GW to a 48-40 edge on the glass.
Duquesne used a 13-2 run midway through the first half to build a 32-14 advantage with 5:22 left in the period. Jackson scored all of her six first-half points as the Colonials ended the half with a 10-3 spurt to trail 35-24 at intermission.
GW (5-14, 0-5 A-10) will look to snap its 10-game losing skid and capture its first league win of the season Saturday at La Salle. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
