Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Update: Key Games and Highlights
While the Massachusetts women’s basketball team has been making headlines, it’s been an eventful week across the Atlantic 10 women’s basketball conference.
Virginia Commonwealth vs. James Madison (12/5)
In a tightly contested matchup held in Richmond, Virginia, James Madison University (JMU) triumphed over Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a score of 55-42, marking the Rams’ fifth loss of the season and their third consecutive defeat.
Roshala Scott led the Dukes with 16 points, showcasing her skills with a 7-of-15 shooting performance. She was supported by teammates Peyton McDaniel and Kseniia Kozlova, who contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The game began slowly for VCU, which managed only two points in the first three minutes while JMU raced ahead with nine. However, the Rams rebounded at the end of the first quarter, narrowing the gap to just three points at 16-13. They briefly took the lead at 19-18 in the second quarter, but JMU responded with a dominant 14-2 run, ending the half at 32-23.
Although VCU initiated the third quarter with an 8-2 run to cut the deficit to two points, JMU regained control, extending their lead to 12 points by the start of the fourth quarter. VCU fought valiantly and closed the gap to eight points with under four minutes left, but ultimately could not bridge the gap further.
Key factors in JMU’s victory were their field goal and free throw percentages; the Dukes connected on 38.9% of their field goals and 76.9% of their free throws, while VCU struggled with only 24.6% shooting and 60% from the line. JMU’s ability to attack the basket and deliver crucial shots when needed proved decisive, while VCU struggled with consistency.
Currently, the Dukes sit atop the Sun Belt Conference standings.
St. Bonaventure vs. Cornell (12/5)
The St. Bonaventure Bonnies celebrated a hard-fought victory against Cornell, edging out the Bears 56-54. Despite a 3-5 record this season, the Bonnies have demonstrated resilience with a 2-1 performance in nail-biting contests.
Dani Haskell was the standout performer of the match, scoring 27 points—10 more than her closest competitor, Cornell’s Rachel Kaus, who finished with 17 points. Haskell’s sharpshooting included 5-of-12 from beyond the arc and an impressive 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
The Bonnies led 25-24 at halftime, but the Bears surged in the third quarter, outscoring St. Bonaventure 18-13 to take a 43-37 lead into the final period. Cornell pushed their advantage to eight points with seven minutes remaining, but St. Bonaventure rallied back, executing a 12-2 run to regain their lead for the first time since the half.
Haskell’s timely free throw shooting in the game’s closing moments helped secure the victory for the Bonnies. Their next game is scheduled against the University at Albany on Saturday, December 14.
Other Notable A-10 Results
In other action, the Miami RedHawks delivered a decisive 60-43 victory over the Dayton Flyers. Meanwhile, Saint Joseph’s showcased their dominance with a commanding 69-47 win against the Drexel Dragons. Additionally, Ivy League competitor University of Pennsylvania overcame La Salle, with a final score of 74-63, improving to 7-3 for the season while La Salle now stands at 5-5.
