Nov. 29, 2003

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Dukes (3-1, 0-0) vs. Davidson (1-3, 0-0)
University of San Francisco odwalla Classic
Nov. 29 - :00 pm
San Francisco, Calif. - War Memorial Gym

About the Dukes

The Dukes (2-2) will be playing their fifth game in nine days Saturday evening when they take on Davidson (1-3) in the consolation game of the University of San Francisco odwalla Classic. The Dukes lost the opening round game to Kentucky Friday evening 90-83. Davidson was beaten by the host San Francisco Dons 58-41 in the other first round contest.

Duquesne is led by two seniors, Candace Futrell's 23.3 points and Shiri Sharon, who's averaging 8.0 points and 4.3 assists per game. Sophomore Nicole Sinclair is pulling down 8.5 rebounds in her first four games as a starter.

About the Wildcats

Davidson (1-3) lost to host San Francisco 58-41 Friday night in the other first round game of the University of San Francisco odwalla Classic. The Dons held Ashley Halsted and Emily Callahan, both of whom were averaging 16.0 points per game going into this weekend, to two and six points, respectively. The Wildcats shot 27.6 percent from the floor against USF; DC had hit 41.9% of their shots in their three previous games. They outrebounded San Francisco 46-39.

Davidson has yet to play a home game and has one more road contest, at Georgia Tech, before the home opener on Saturday, Dec. 6th with Wofford.

Davidson 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, is averaging 13.5 points while senior guard Ashley Halstead is scoring 12.5 points per game. Senior post player Meghan Bryant is averaging 5.3 rebounds.

The Series

This is the first meeting between the Dukes and the Wildcats.

The Coaches

Dan Durkin is in his 11th year at Duquesne and as a head coach. He is 2-2 this season and 132-151 overall over his tenure. Annette Watts is in her third year as a head coach and at the helm of Davidson. She is 1-3 and 26-36 overall.

Duquesne Probable Starters

No.	NAME	YR	POS	HT	PPG	RPG	Notes
10	Shiri Sharon	JR	G	5-7	8.0	4.3 apg	Averaging 2.5 steals per game; has 1.2 assist/turnover ratio
21	Candace Futrell	JR	G	5-10	23.3	7.8	19 of 25 from the free throw line (.760)
5	Aiga Bautre	FR	G	5-11	5.8	1.8	Hit double figures for first time this season in Kentucky game with 10 points; perfect 4-4 from the foul line
52	Erin Wehrle	SO	C	6-2	4.5	2.5	Started last 31 games; top-returning shot blocker
34	Nicole Sinclair	SO	F	6-0	6.3	8.5	Dukes' leading rebounder this season in first year as starter replacing DU record holder Beth Friday

Davidson Probable Starters

No.	NAME	YR	POS	HT	Hometown	PPG	RPG
21	Robyn Flewelling	SR	G	5-9	Okemos, Mich.	5.5	3.8
22	Ashley Hallsted	SR	G	5-6	San Mateo, Calif.	12.5	3.3
33	Emily Callahan	JR	F	6-0	Charlotte, N.C.	13.5	4.0
44	Courtney Laird	SR	F	6-2	Los Altos, Calif.	6.5	4.8
34	Meghan Bryant	SR	C	6-3	Huntersville, N.C.	5.8	5.3

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 (2-1) 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. Going into their tournament, senior forward Carey Sauer led the Dons with 14.0 points. Last season's WCC Freshman of the Year, guard Joy Hollingsworth added 13.0 points and a team-best 10.0 rebounds a game. Senior Mary Jane Krueger was the third Don in double figures at 12.0 points and tied junior guard Merisa Leatherman, both averaged a team-best 11.0 boards in USF's first two games.

In Kentucky's (3-1) last game before this tournament, 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. Prior to the Dukes' game, Helm was averaging 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds while Potts contributed 16.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Senior forward Shambrica Jones also was pulling down 6.3 rebounds and averaged 9.3 points. Kentucky (11-16, 4-10 in 2002-03) was picked to finish 10th in the 12-team Southestern Conference preseason poll.

Next Game

After their trip to the West Coast, the Dukes travel up Forbes Avenue to face the Pitt Panthers (1-1) on Dec. 3. This contest is followed by a Dec. 6 match-up at Vanderbilt (3-0) before a two-week break for finals.

Last Game

The Dukes topped by Kentucky 90-83 in the first round of the University of San Francisco odwalla Classic Friday night at the Dons' War Memorial Gym. Down 18 (45-27) at the half, the Dukes (2-2) fought back but were unable to overcome the Wildcats' (3-1) lead. Senior Candace Futrell led the Dukes with 32 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Nicole Sinclair added 13 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Aiga Bautre scored 10 points for the Dukes. Shiri Sharon paced the Dukes with four assists. The Wildcats hit 59.3 percent of their shots from the field including 50.0% from three-point range. The Dukes scored on 42.3 percent of their field goal attempts, 37.5% of the shots from beyond the arc.

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	4	94	255	.369	39.8	46	12	30	66.8
DC	4	86	225	.382	38.5	47	4	16	61.5

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 1,140. 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. Thirteen (13) points against Davidson will put the Altoona, Pa. native into ninth place past Chrissi Stough's 1,152 ('81-'84).

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  1,140  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 776 career points and is on track to be the first Duquesne player to reach 600 career assists. With five assists, the Israeli native will take over third place on the Dukes' career list, passing Becky Oglevee's 528 ('83-'86)

Duquesne Career Assists Leaders

1 Korie Hlede       570  1995-982 Darcie Vincent    555  1989-923 Becky Oglevee     528  1983-864 Shiri Sharon      524  2001-present5 Michelle Bouldin  446  1992-94