Despite a combined 35 points from seniors Grace Townsend and Addie Budnik, the University of Richmond women's basketball team ended its historic 2023-24 run against Duke in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon. The Spiders closed the year at 29-6.

Against No. 7 Duke, the No. 10-seeded Spiders were led by Townsend, who posted a team-high 18 points, while Budnik posted 17. Maggie Doogan also finished the game in double figures with 15 points on the afternoon.   

The game was Richmond’s fourth appearance in the NCAA tournament. The team punched its ticket to March Madness after winning the 2024 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship game against Rhode Island.

The championship was the first in program history and the first conference title since the 1991 season in the CAA.

The team also earned the A-10 Conference regular season crown. In addition to going undefeated at home, UR notched an impressive 16-2 in A-10 action, 9-4 on the road, and 6-2 on neutral courts.