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Richmond Spiders Make History with Decisive NCAA Tournament Victory Over Georgia Tech

By Archyde News Team | March 21, 2025 | los Angeles, CA

In a stunning display of skill and determination, the No. 8-seeded University of Richmond spiders women’s basketball team etched their name in the program’s history books on Friday evening, March 21, 2025. Led by Maggie Doogan’s dominant performance, the Spiders soared to a 74-49 victory over the No. 9-seeded Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. the game,held in Los Angeles,marked Richmond’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win and their first triumph against Georgia Tech,improving their overall record to an impressive 28-6. For the Yellow Jackets, the loss concluded their season with a 22-11 record.

This victory resonates deeply within the Richmond community and the broader Atlantic 10 Conference. It’s a testament to the team’s hard work, strategic coaching, and individual player development, mirroring the Cinderella stories that captivate audiences during March Madness each year. Think of teams like Florida Gulf Coast “Dunk city” in 2013 or Oral Roberts in 2021 – Richmond now joins the ranks of those memorable underdogs.

Game Highlights: A Masterclass Performance

The Spiders showcased a balanced attack, with key contributions from several players. However, Maggie Doogan’s performance was undeniably the catalyst for Richmond’s success. She ended the game with a double-double, scoring 30 points and achieving a career-high 15 rebounds, while also dishing out six assists.

Here’s a breakdown of how the game unfolded:

First Quarter: Setting the Tone

Georgia Tech initiated scoring with an early layup,but Addie Budnik quickly responded,leveling the score. following a Yellow Jackets’ three-pointer, Maggie Doogan ignited a 12-0 surge with consecutive three-pointers, complemented by contributions from Budnik and Faith Alston, establishing a 17-7 lead for Richmond with just over a minute remaining in the quarter. Alyssa Jimenez punctuated the quarter with a layup, concluding the first with Richmond in command at 19-7.

Second Quarter: Maintaining Momentum

GT opened the second quarter with a three-pointer, narrowing Richmond’s lead to nine, but Doogan responded with another 11-0 run, extending the Spiders’ advantage to 20 points at 30-10. Although GT managed another three-pointer, Doogan swiftly countered with one of her own. A subsequent 10-0 run from the Yellow Jackets reduced the margin to 10 at 33-23, yet a final layup from Doogan ensured the Spiders maintained a 12-point lead, closing the half at 35-23.

Third Quarter: Extending the Lead

Budnik launched the third quarter with a three-pointer before GT responded with a layup, keeping UR’s lead at 13, 38-25. Doogan then sparked a 4-0 run, pushing the advantage to 17 points. Despite the Yellow Jackets closing the gap to 12 at 42-30, Budnik initiated an 8-0 run for Richmond, supported by Alston and Doogan. The quarter concluded with Doogan sinking two free throws, leaving the Spiders ahead at 53-34.

Fourth Quarter: Sealing the victory

Doogan commenced the fourth quarter with a accomplished free throw, followed by a jumper from GT, resulting in a 54-36 lead for UR. The Yellow Jackets then scored a free throw before a 7-0 run by the Spiders widened the margin to 61-37.Following a three-point play from the Yellow Jackets, doogan responded with another three-pointer, giving the Spiders a commanding 24-point lead with 4:31 remaining. The game concluded with a layup from Ullstrom and another from Alicia Newell,sealing the Spiders’ inaugural NCAA Tournament victory at 74-49,despite a final free throw from GT.

Key Players and Statistics

Beyond Doogan’s stellar performance, several other Spiders contributed substantially to the victory:

• Addie Budnik: 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block.
• Alyssa Jimenez: Team-high two steals.
• Katie Hill: Five assists.

As a team, Richmond shot an impressive 50% from the field (30-of-60), 39.1% from three-point range (9-of-23), and 83.3% from the free-throw line (5-of-6). They also recorded 37 rebounds, 19 assists, two blocks, and four steals.

Historical Significance

This victory holds immense historical weight for the Richmond Spiders:

• First NCAA Tournament win in program history.
• Largest margin of victory (25 points) for a team in its first NCAA Tournament win as 2012.
• Largest margin of victory for a team seeded 8th or higher in the Round of 64 since 2019.
• Largest margin of victory for a non-power conference team since 2021.
• First win over Georgia Tech in the series since 1985.
• First win over an ACC team as November 28, 2021 (vs. Virginia).
• maggie Doogan joins Lauren Cox (Baylor) as the only players in the last 20 years to record at least 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in an NCAA Tournament game.
• First NCAA Tournament win for the Atlantic 10 Conference since 2022 and first Round of 64 win since 2016.

The Spiders posted the first NCAA win for the atlantic 10 since Dayton defeated DePaul in 2022 in the first Four and posted the first win by an A-10 team in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament since 2016 (Duquesne def. Seton Hall)

These statistics highlight the magnitude of Richmond’s achievement and solidify their status as a team to watch in this year’s tournament. For context, consider that the Atlantic 10 Conference, while competitive, often plays second fiddle to the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) in terms of national recognition and resources. This win underscores the potential for mid-major programs to make significant impacts on the national stage.

Analyzing the Win: Key Factors

Several factors contributed to Richmond’s dominant performance:

• Doogan’s Dominance: Maggie Doogan’s remarkable performance set the tone for the entire team. Her scoring,rebounding,and playmaking ability were too much for Georgia Tech to handle.
• Efficient Shooting: The spiders’ 50% shooting percentage from the field demonstrates their offensive efficiency and shot selection.
• Defensive Intensity: Holding Georgia Tech to just 49 points showcases richmond’s defensive prowess and ability to disrupt the Yellow Jackets’ offensive flow.
• Team Chemistry: The Spiders’ 19 assists highlight their unselfish play and commitment to finding the open player.

How might this NCAA tournament victory impact Richmond women’s basketball recruiting efforts in the future?

Richmond spiders’ Historic NCAA Tournament Victory: An Interview with Coach Evans

by Archyde News Team | Los Angeles, CA

Archyde News: Coach Evans, congratulations on the Richmond Spiders’ unbelievable victory over Georgia Tech! This marks a historic moment for the program. Can you describe the feeling in the locker room after securing that first NCAA Tournament win?

Coach Evans: Thank you! The atmosphere was electric. There was a genuine sense of pride and accomplishment. The players had worked so hard all season, and to see that hard work pay off in such a meaningful way – with a decisive win against Georgia Tech — was truly special. It’s a moment we’ll never forget.

Archyde News: Maggie Doogan’s performance was outstanding. What makes her such a pivotal player for the Spiders?

Coach Evans: Maggie is a phenomenal talent, no doubt. Beyond having skill, Maggie has a rare combination of skill, determination, and leadership. Her ability to score efficiently, rebound effectively, and facilitate for her teammates makes her a true force. It’s no surprise that she was able to lead the charge with 30 points and 15 rebounds.

Archyde News: The team shot a remarkable 50% from the field. What role did efficient shooting play in your victory?

Coach Evans: Shooting well is definitely a key component of our offense, especially when facing tough opponents like Georgia Tech. Our offensive efficiency and shot selection are key to our strategy, and the players executed the plan perfectly. The efficient shooting gave us a significant advantage, allowing us to build and maintain a comfortable lead.

Archyde News: this victory had significant meaning for both the program and the A-10 Conference. How does it feel to be part of that history?

Coach Evans: it’s an honour. Every win is special, but this one holds extra weight. The fact that it’s the first NCAA Tournament win in program history, that’s a legacy. We’re proud to represent the A-10 and show that teams from our conference can compete and succeed on the national stage. The victory has significance for the atlantic 10 Conference, and being the first team to win in the Round of 64 since 2016 feels fantastic.

Archyde News: Looking ahead, what are the Spiders’ goals for the rest of the tournament, and how do you plan to build on this momentum?

Coach evans: We’re taking it one game at a time, but we wont to keep pushing forward.We’ll focus on our game plan, continue working hard, and play with the same determination and focus we had against Georgia Tech.We can’t get ahead of ourselves, but we’re excited about and motivated by the possibilities. Each game will require us to be at the top of our game,and that’s what we will aim for.

Archyde News: With this big win, what do you think this victory means for the future of Richmond women’s basketball, and what impact do you see it having on the program’s trajectory?

Coach Evans:I think this is a huge step forward, especially with the NCAA victory. It demonstrates Richmond’s ability to compete at the highest levels. This win will help us with recruiting, boost our visibility, and inspire future generations of players. Our victory demonstrates that Richmond is a program that can make some noise in the national scene.

Archyde News: Coach, one final question: This win is clearly a significant moment for Richmond and the A-10. If you could tell your fans one thing to get them excited for what’s to come, what would it be?

Coach Evans: Get ready for more! This is just the beginning. Come along for the ride,because we’re going to keep fighting,keep competing,and keep striving for more.Stay with us,and let’s make some history!