RICHMOND, Va. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dramatic and decisive fourth-quarter collapse, the VCU Rams rallied from a double-digit deficit to defeat the Duquesne Dukes 61-54 in an Atlantic 10 women’s basketball contest Sunday at Siegel Center.

The Dukes, who led by as many as 11 points in the third quarter and entered the final period with a nine-point advantage, were held to a mere four points in the fourth quarter. Their offensive execution vanished under intense VCU defensive pressure, resulting in a scoring drought that spanned the final eight minutes and 46 seconds of the game.

Duquesne’s Alexis Bordas, a guard from Wheeling, West Virginia, delivered a game-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers, to spearhead her team’s attack for the first three quarters. Her efforts, alongside a dominant 11-rebound performance from Australian forward Harriet Ford, had the visiting Dukes in control for much of the afternoon.

The Rams, however, methodically chipped away at the lead. A critical 11-0 run, ignited by a 3-pointer from Makennah White of Farrell, Pennsylvania, and capped by a driving layup from Lucy Ghaifan of Grand Island, Nebraska, erased Duquesne’s cushion and gave VCU a 48-46 lead with 4:36 remaining. The Dukes never recovered.

VCU’s comeback was a collective effort, anchored by steady guard play and clutch free-throw shooting. Laia Crespin Pastor, a guard from Calafell, Spain, led the Rams with 14 points, including four crucial free throws in the final minute to seal the victory. Cyriah Griffin of Virginia Beach added nine points and four assists, while Katarina Knezevic of Belgrade, Serbia, contributed nine points, seven rebounds and three assists.

The statistical story of the game was written at the free-throw line and in the turnover column. VCU capitalized on its opportunities, converting 18 of 22 free throws. Duquesne, meanwhile, managed only 9 of 14 from the stripe and compounded its problems with 18 turnovers, which the Rams converted into key transition opportunities, especially during the fateful fourth quarter.

Both teams struggled from the field, each shooting 18 for 54. Duquesne’s reliance on the 3-point shot — they attempted 31, making nine — failed them down the stretch as they missed their final eight attempts from deep. VCU was more efficient from long range, hitting 7 of 18.

The victory improved VCU’s record to 6-11 overall, while Duquesne fell to 7-9. The game’s outcome flipped the script from the pregame projection, as Interstat’s ELO system had given the Rams a 57.8% probability to win, a forecast that seemed unlikely until the final period’s stunning turnaround.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably VCU’s fourth-quarter defensive stand. Trailing 50-43 entering the period, the Rams intensified their ball pressure, forcing Duquesne into a series of rushed shots, shot-clock violations, and costly turnovers. The Dukes’ offense, which had flowed through Bordas for three quarters, completely stagnated. VCU’s 18-4 quarter was a masterclass in closing out a game, transforming a potential home loss into a momentum-building conference win by suffocating their opponent when it mattered most.

Duquesne will look to rebound Wednesday when it hosts George Washington. VCU continues its homestand Wednesday against Rhode Island.