Women’s Basketball Stuffs Richmond in A-10 Opener, 65-63

Saturday, December 31

Richmond, VA

12:00 PM

George Washington University

9-5,1-0Atlantic 10

Richmond

10-4,0-1Atlantic 10

George Washington

Richmond

12/31/2022 3:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

GW opens conference play with a win for the first time since 2017

RICHMOND, Va. – Almost a year removed from a Richmond buzzer-beater that downed George Washington in its 2021-22 A-10 opener, GW women's basketball made sure that history didn't repeat itself this time. With 10 seconds on the clock, the Colonials' defense locked up the opposition and took home a 65-63 victory.

Fans were treated to an exciting matinee on New Year's Eve, as the battle between the Colonials and Spiders featured 12 lead changes. In the first quarter, both sides traded blows with GW firing at a 53 percent clip and Richmond knocking down shots at a 62 percent mark.

Richmond's slight shooting edge gave it an early 24-19 lead going into the second quarter, but GW never wavered, and the Colonials rode an 8-2 run over the final three minutes of the quarter to make it a 32-31 game at halftime.

In the second half, GDUB's offense finally reclaimed the lead thanks to a wide-open 3-pointer by Mia Lakstigala, who continued her superb offensive season with a team-high 17 points on Saturday. However, the Spiders continued to hang around, and thanks to a 53 percent shooting clip in the third frame, Richmond took a slight 48-45 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Nya Robertson then played closer in the fourth quarter for the Buff & Blue. The first-year scored seven of her 10 points in the final frame, including hitting a clutch 3-pointer that gave George Washington a 65-59 lead.

While Spiders fans were hoping to witness more heroics against GW, the Colonials' defense was smothering on the final possession. Essence Brown cloaked Katie Hill and forced her into an off-target layup as time expired, putting the bow on the win for George Washington.

GW has now won four straight games, tied for the longest win streak in the Caroline McCombs era. Additionally, GW's victory was its first to open an Atlantic 10 season since the 2016-17 season.

Up next, George Washington will return home to the Smith Center for its A-10 home opener against Saint Joseph's. Tip-off between the Colonials and the Hawks is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m.