A historic season for the Duquesne’s women’s basketball team just got more historic Monday night.
The Dukes earned their first ever NCAA tournament bid by receiving the ninth seed in the Bridgeport regional, and will take on the Seton Hall Pirates. This bid is a well-deserved award for a team that made the University and the City of Pittsburgh proud all season.
This is the first time since 1977 that any Duquesne basketball team, men or women, has made the NCAA tournament. The Dukes finished the season a program-best 27-5, sharing the Atlantic 10 regular season title with two other teams, and finished runner-up in the Atlantic 10 basketball tournament to George Washington.
Duquesne controlled the majority of the championship game against the Colonials except for the fourth quarter that ultimately led the Dukes to fall short of the automatic tournament bid. The loss stung for the Dukes, but the players, coaches, and fans felt confident that would not deter their NCAA tournament status.
If the Dukes can make more history with a first round win over the Pirates, a potential matchup with the number one seeded and three-time defending national champions, UConn Huskies, awaits in the next round.
But first Duquesne must get through a Seton Hall team that made it to the Big East tournament semifinals and boasts a 23-8 record. For Seniors April Robinson and Deva’Nyar Workman, its one last chance to finish off their careers that helped the Dukes get to where they are now.
The best part about Monday was that Duquesne fans also got to share the excitement with the team as they hosted a viewing party inside PNC Park.
No words needed. #NCAATOURNAMENT #SeeYouinStorrs pic.twitter.com/2CzFY2GjSJ
— Duquesne Athletics (@GoDuquesne) March 14, 2016
The unbelievable journey for the Dukes continues another week into March. History has already been written, now its time to see if the Dukes can add one more chapter.
