Banner raised and a standard set: No. 24 Richmond dominates home opener

The No. 24 ranked University of Richmond Spiders women’s basketball team opened their 2025-26 season Tuesday Nov. 4 with a commanding 83-49 win over Mount St. Mary’s University at the Robins Center. 

Richmond’s 34-point victory marked its first 30-point season-opening win since 2005, when the Spiders defeated Hampton University 77-47, and its largest season-opening margin since the 1976-77 season against Randolph-Macon College (52-16). This marks a night that celebrated the program’s first Atlantic 10 championship and its first-ever spot in the AP Top 25.

Before the opening tip, the Spiders raised their A-10 Championship banner to the rafters. The ceremony caught players off guard, even senior forward Maggie Doogan, who was the centerpiece of last year’s title run.

“Honestly, I didn’t know that was coming, so that was a cool surprise,” Doogan said in a postgame press conference. “Last year was super special, and I’m glad we got the chance to honor it. It definitely got me ready for this season.”

Doogan, the 2024-25 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, was ranked among ESPN’s Top 25 players nationally heading into the season.

The Spiders came out firing, hitting 50% from beyond the arc in the first quarter and jumping to a double-digit lead just four minutes in. Senior guard Rachel Ullstrom knocked down the team’s first three of the night, followed quickly by junior guard Ally Sweeney, sparking a stretch of four straight triples that forced an early Mount timeout.

Doogan found her rhythm in the second quarter, scoring 13 of her eventual 28 points before halftime. She powered through contact for a three-point play, drained a clean jumper from the top of the key, and capped an 11-point run with a soft pull-up that extended the lead to 36-17.

“For this being our first one, I think we did a really good job,” Doogan said. “We have four freshmen, two grads, and three sophomores who didn’t really get a lot of playing time last year. A lot of new faces.”

Graduate forward Tierra Simon opened the second half with two free throws and a transition layup, while Sweeney buried another three from the wing. Doogan’s three-pointer minutes later pushed Richmond ahead 46-17, and the Spiders never looked back.

Richmond’s defense held Mount St. Mary’s to just 19 points through three quarters, outscoring them by 36 points from the three-point line. Coach Aaron Roussell credited his team’s defensive intensity.

“Our defense was really good for most of the game,” Roussell said. “When you outscore someone from the arc by 36 points, that’s going to bode well. Maggie just controlled the game; she’s such a calming presence out there.”

He added that Doogan’s performance embodied what makes her one of the nation’s top players.

“Twenty-eight, thirteen and six is about as impressive and solid a performance as you can have,” Roussell said. “She’s a dominant player, and I’m very glad she’s on our side.”

Doogan led the way with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, while first-year guard Ava Persichetti added 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from deep in her collegiate debut. She described her first moments on the floor as a mix of nerves and excitement.

“I was definitely nervous going into today, but I’ve got a locker room full of teammates who are so supportive,” Persichetti said. “As long as they believe in me, I’ll do my part and make sure I believe in myself. Honestly, I was just out there playing basketball and having fun.”

She also shared how playing alongside Doogan has shaped her early confidence.

“A big part of my decision to come to Richmond was Maggie Doogan playing here,” Persichetti said. “She’s such a leader, in practice, in the locker room, everywhere. We even bond over Taylor Swift,” she laughed. “It’s an honor to play next to her.”

With the win, Richmond opens its season at 1-0 and turns its attention to a national test on Friday against No. 4 Texas. Doogan, who faced Texas star Madison Booker during USA Basketball trials, knows what’s coming.

“She’s an All-American for a reason,” Doogan said. “She could be a problem in the league right now if she were to go. We’ll have to lock in on her and focus on her tendencies.”

Roussell said the early challenge will be valuable.

“They’ll be a test, no doubt,” he said. “I know that we’re gonna keep getting better, which is cool as a coach.”

The threes fell, the defense held firm and the energy inside the Robins Center reflected a team ready to chase another championship, this time with a target on its back.

“Last year raised the bar,” Doogan said. “As long as we keep working hard, I think we can reach that goal again this year.”

Contact sports writer Farah Šertović at farah.sertovic@richmond.edu