Nov. 27, 2003
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Dukes (2-1, 0-0) vs. Kentucky (2-1, 0-0)
University of San Francisco odwalla Classic
Nov. 28 - 9:00 pm EST
San Francisco, Calif. - War Memorial Gym
Game broadcast from Lexington, Kentucky on WLXG Sports Radio 1300
and over the internet at
www.ukathletics.edu About the Dukes
The Dukes enter the University of San Francisco odwalla Classic 2-1 and will face their fourth opponent (Kentucky on Fri. at 9:00 p.m. EST) in an eight-day span with another game on Saturday. Duquesne is led by two seniors, Candace Futrell's 20.3 points and Shiri Sharon, who's averaging 7.7 points and 4.3 assists per game. Sophomore Nicole Sinclair is pulling down 8.3 rebounds in her first three games as a starter.
About the Wildcats
In UK's last game, the Wildcats (2-1) fell to North Carolina 75-59 at Rupp Arena after missing their first 14 shots. The Cats shot a mere 31.4 percent from the floor, including only 27.3 percent in the first half. Senior center SeSe Helm and junior guard Sara Potts are the Wildcats' leading scorers and rebounders. Helm is averaging 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while Potts contributes 16.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Senior forward Shambrica Jones also is pulling down 6.3 rebounds while averaging 9.3 points. Kentucky (11-16, 4-10 in 2002-03) was picked to finish 10th in the 12-team Southestern Conference preseason poll.
The Series
Kentucky won the only game played between the two teams. The teams first met in Lexington, Ky., on Nov. 24, 1990. UK defeated the Dukes 101-56.
The Coaches
Dan Durkin is in his 11th year at Duquesne and as a head coach. He is 2-1 this season and 132-150 overall over his tenure. Mickie DeMoss is in her first year at Kentucky; she was hired on March 18, 2003 to replace Bernadette Mattox.(91-135). DeMoss, who was associate head coach at Tennessee for 18 years before joining the Wildcats, has a 45-68 head coaching record (Florida, 1979-83).
Duquesne Probable Starters | No. | NAME | YR | POS | HT | PPG | RPG | Notes |
| 10 | Shiri Sharon | JR | G | 5-7 | 7.7 | 4.3 apg | Averaging 3.0 steals per game; has 1.3 assist/turnover ratio |
| 21 | Candace Futrell | JR | G | 5-10 | 20.3 | 7.3 | 11 for 14 from the free throw line (.786) |
| 5 | Aiga Bautre | FR | G | 5-11 | 4.3 | 1.5 | Led the A-10 in three-point field goal percentage as a freshman |
| 52 | Erin Wehrle | SO | C | 6-2 | 5.3 | 3.0 | Started last 31 games; top-returning shot blocker |
| 34 | Nicole Sinclair | SO | F | 6-0 | 4.0 | 8.3 | First year as starter replacing DU record holder Beth Friday |
Kentucky Probable Starters | No. | NAME | YR | POS | HT | Hometown | PPG | RPG |
| 3 | Sara Potts | JR | F | 6-0 | Rochester Hills, Mich. | 16.0 | 5.0 |
| 30 | Shambrica Jones | SR | F | 6-0 | Yazoo City, Miss. | 8.5 | 6.5 |
| 53 | SeSe Helm | SR | C | 6-4 | Bowling Green, Ky. | 20.0 | 9.5 |
| 33 | Jenny Pfeiffer | SO | G | 5-8 | North Vernon, Ind. | 10.5 | 1.5 |
| 15 | Racquel Ellis | SR | G | 5-8 | Mason, Ohio | 2.5 | 1.0 |
The Tournament
This is the first year for the odwalla Classic (odwalla is a juice manufacturer from Santa Cruz, Calif.). All four tournament teams are looking to get back on the winning track after dropping their last game on Tuesday. Host San Francisco fell to Stanford 75-50, Davidson lost to Charlotte 77-70, Kentucky lost to North Carolina 75-59 and Duquesne lost at Toledo 81-57.
USF (1-1) is a member of the West Coast Conference. The Dons won their home opener over South Carolina State 72-46 on Fri. Nov. 21 then lost at Stanford, 75-50 on Tues. Nov. 25. USF (12-17, 7-7 in 2002-03) was picked for fourth place in the eight team WCC preseason poll. Senior forward Carey Sauer leads the Dons with 14.0 points. Last season's WCC Freshman of the Year, guard Joy Hollingsworth adds 13.0 points and a team-best 10.0 rebounds a game. Senior Mary Jane Krueger is the third Don is double figures at 12.0 points and ties junior guard Merisa Leatherman in averaging a team-best 11.0 boards in USF's first two games.
Davidson (1-2) sandwiched a 74-68 win over Florida International in the consolation game of last weekend's Spartan Classic after dropping the opener to the host Michigan State, 62-55 last Friday, Nov. 21 before losing at Charlotte Tues. Nov. 25 77-70. The host 49ers, a future A-10 team, hit 23 of 34 free throw attempts while Davidson committed 24 turnovers. A member of the Southern Conference, Davidson was picked to finish in the middle of the 11-team league in the preseason poll; league coaches tabbed Davidson seventh while the media placed the Wildcats sixth. Junior guard/forward Emily Callahan, a preseason all-conference selection, and senior guard Ashley Halstead are both averaging 16.0 points per game. Senior post player Meghan Bryant is averaging 5.7 rebounds.
Next Game
The Dukes will face either the host Dons or Davidson on Saturday. The consolation tip is 6:00 pm with the championship game beginning at 8:00 pm Pacific, i.e., 9:00 pm or 11:00 pm EST.
Last Game
Duquesne fell to 2-1 with an 81-57 loss at Toledo. Senior Candace Futrell had game-highs of 22 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Nicole Sinclair also pulled down 10 boards. The Dukes trailed 45-24 at the half before going on a 21-5 run to open the second half, but could get no closer. Futrell sparked the comeback scoring 14 of the 21 points in the run. Duquesne outrebounded the Rockets 45-30. Toledo shot 57.6 percent from the floor in the first half and, while UT cooled down after the break, shot 47.5% through the game, including 55.5% (10-18) from beyond the arc. The Dukes shot 34.4 percent including 7-of-18 (38.9%) from three-point range.
Pre-Season Atlantic 10 Picks
Duquesne was picked to finish fourth in the West Division of the Atlantic 10 in the 2003-04 Atlantic 10 Pre-Season Coaches and Media Poll. The Dukes finished in a tie for fourth in the West last year with a 15-14 overall mark and a 7-9 A-10 record. Two Dukes have been named to the 2003-04 Atlantic 10 Women's Basketball Pre-Season honors. Senior Candace Futrell (Altoona, Pa./ Altoona) has been named a first team pre-season selection while freshman Loui Hall (Masontown, Pa./Albert Gallatin) has been chosen as a pre-season All-Rookie pick. Duquesne finished the 2003 campaign tied for fourth in the West Division of the Atlantic 10.
Comparatively Speaking
Here is how Duquesne and Kentucky compare statistically
| 2004 | GP | FGM | FGA | PCT | RPG | AST | BLK | ST | PPG |
| DU | 3 | 64 | 184 | .348 | 41.0 | 34 | 10 | 25 | 61.3 |
| UK | 3 | 76 | 194 | .392 | 38.3 | 34 | 2 | 24 | 68.3 |
Bright Futrell
All-America candidate Candace Futrell became the first Duquesne player to compete in USA Basketball Team Trials when she was invited to participate this past summer. The 5-10 guard did not make either of the 12-member rosters, but had the chance to compete with some of the top talent in the country. A total of 60 student-athletes were on hand looking to make the elite cut. One of the top scoring threats in Duquesne history, she entered her senior campaign with 1,047 career points, even after missing eight games last year with injuries. Futrell averaged 19.5 ppg as a junior and stands 10th on the Duquesne career list with 1,108. The quick and agile guard could surpass Darcie Vincent as the #2 scorer with 1,538 points. Futrell would need to net 462 markers in her senior season to do so. The all-time scoring title is held by 1998 graduate Korie Hlede, who netted 2,631 over her four-year career.
Duquesne Career Points Leaders
1 Korie Hlede 2,631 1995-98 2 Darcie Vincent 1,538 1989-92 3 Beth Friday 1,410 2000-03 4 Kris Sebastian 1,374 1991-94 5 Kathy Ridilla 1,312 1986-89 6 Amy Alger 1,306 1986-89 7 Becky Oglevee 1,292 1983-86 8 Katie Collins 1,186 1987-90 9 Chrissi Stough 1,152 1981-8410 Candace Futrell 1,108 2001-present
Sharon Becomes Fourth to Hit 500 Assists
Shiri Sharon posted a DU and Atlantic 10 best 6.6 apg average last year, which also stood 12th in the NCAA. She became the first player at Duquesne over the past nine-years to record 12 assists when she did so at Xavier marking a career high and a league single-game best mark. On the season she had four total games with double-figure dishes. She moved into fourth all-time at Duquesne in just her third season dishing out 505. Sharon also has 767 career points and is on track to be the first Duquesne player to reach 600 career assists.
Duquesne Career Assists Leaders
1 Korie Hlede 570 1995-982 Darcie Vincent 555 1989-923 Becky Oglevee 528 1983-864 Shiri Sharon 520 2001-present5 Michelle Bouldin 446 1992-94
