Doogan picks up national honors after dropping 48 points against Davidson College

University of Richmond senior forward Maggie Doogan works well under pressure. 

Her historic performance on Jan. 10 against Davidson College proved just that. It also earned her the title of Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.

The air in the Robins Center was electric as Richmond faced off Davidson in triple overtime. The two teams had been neck-and-neck the entire game, but that was all about to change. 

Doogan opened up the period with a jumper and two 3-pointers in just two minutes of play, leading her team to victory. Shooting 17-of-28 from the field and 8-of-12 from behind the arc, she was an absolute force on the court.

“I just kind of switched into second gear and I just wasn’t going to lose,” Doogan said. 

She ended the night with 48 points, beating the program record for most points in a game from 1983. 

Not only did she beat it, she surpassed it by nine points. It’s also the most points for a player in the NCAA this year and an all-time record for the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Immediately after the win, a firestorm of attention started heading her way. Suddenly, people she hasn’t talked to in years are texting her, news teams are interviewing her and she is picking up honor after honor. 

First came Under Armour Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, then NCAA starting five and most recently, Ann Meyers Drysdale National Player of the Week.

“I’m so honored,” Doogan said. “It’s super special and I just love having Richmond out there too, putting my team and school in the light.”

She was also brought on court during the UR men’s basketball game against Saint Joseph’s University on Jan. 11. Holding flowers in her arms and waving, she received a standing ovation for her performance. 

“I don’t love the spotlight, so I was a little awkward, but having such an amazing fan base around me and seeing the school celebrate was an awesome feeling,” Doogan said.

Standing amongst the crowd, Head Coach Aaron Roussell watched a player he has fostered for four years be showered in praise.

“Seeing her get that kind of shine was amazing,” Roussell said. “I just see on a daily basis how hard she works. I know so many things that she does behind the scenes that no one else knows about, nobody else sees. She’s not one to seek the headlines and all the credit.”

The Spiders now head to Ohio to face the Dayton College Flyers on Jan.14. However, the game everyone is waiting for is on Sunday, Jan. 18 at noon against UR’s cross-town rival, Virginia Commonwealth University. 

The Spiders and the Rams currently hold a record of 47-47, making this game the tie-breaker.

Naming the game Operation: Code Red, UR has a goal of 5,000 fans in attendance, a number that has not been reached since 2000.

“I remember my freshman year, we could barely get 1,000 people, and now we’re aiming for even 5,000 and being within reach of that is awesome,” Doogan said. “I have always been a fan of women’s basketball, even when it wasn’t as big as it is now. Seeing how much the game has grown, how many more kids are into it, how many more girls are into it, is just super special to me. 

Doogan added: “People didn’t realize how good women’s basketball was.”

Contact sports editor Abigail Finney at abigail.finney@richmond.edu