On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Davidson women’s basketball team thumped the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen, 56-38, to lock down their eighth conference win of the season. Despite having a lackluster overall record of 13-11, the ‘Cats are tied for third in the Atlantic 10 (A-10) conference standings, and are poised to be in excellent shape come March.
The Wildcats started the season with an electric comeback win at home versus Florida Gulf Coast University, 57-56. In spite of this exciting start, the rest of Davidson’s non-conference play proved to be challenging. By the time conference play began, the ‘Cats were 5-7, with notable road losses at North Carolina State and Wake Forest.
Following their loss to NC State, Coach Gayle Fulks’ team was able to turn a corner. The Wildcats went on a tear and destroyed Universtiy of North Carolina at Pembroke 84-53, then did the same to Universtiy of North Carolina at Charlotte, 82-55. Following their two blowout wins, the ‘Cats opened A-10 play with a four game win streak, beating Duquesne, La Salle, Saint Louis and Rhode Island.
Richmond snapped their win streak with a lopsided defeat at home with a score of 63-41. Davidson was then able to handily defeat St. Bonaventure, 83-45, but following the victory, the team dropped three straight games. The first was a close loss, falling on the road to George Mason by eight. The next game, the ‘Cats hosted Saint Louis and lost by nine, despite a 16-point effort from Katie Donovan ‘27. The third loss came at home against Saint Joseph’s, 60-46. Despite the ups and downs, Davidson’s offense has been very balanced this season. Charlise Dunn ‘26 leads the team in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game, with Donovan (10.3) and Issy Morgan ‘25 (10.1) not far behind. Great defensive play has never been in question this season, and Millie Prior ‘25 and Dunn have been the backbone: Prior has twenty-seven blocks on the season and Dunn has twenty-six steals.
The Wildcats bounced back with a tight, three-point victory over Virginia Commonwealth University, 54-51. Along with stout defense, Donovan led the way offensively with 12 points, in addition to significant contributions off the bench from Tomisin Adenupe ‘25 and Sienna Dauer ‘28. The following week, Davidson’s starters combined for fifty-four points against visiting Loyola Chicago. Thanks to great defensive efforts from Prior and Dunn, who each recorded two blocks on the night, the ‘Cats handily defeated Loyola Chicago, 68-51.
After their victory on the road against UMass, Davidson begins the final stretch of the 2024-25 A-10 season. The ‘Cats have six games remaining in the season, including two rematches with Richmond and George Mason, who sit atop the A-10 standings at one and two, respectively. If Davidson is able to win out, they could have a chance to take the A-10 regular season title. Regardless, they are in an excellent position for the A-10 Tournament.
