Nov. 13, 2006

Box Score | Photo Gallery

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Scott Grote scored 23 points in his college debut and Duquesne, relying mostly on six underclassmen after having five players shot earlier this fall, rallied down the stretch to surprise Youngstown State 81-75 on Monday night in its first game since the shootings ravaged their roster.

The Dukes had no depth, little size - no starter is taller than 6-foot-6 - and only two players with previous major college experience, yet still beat a team that defeated them by 21 points last season. It was an inspiring performance that had most of their fans on their feet the final five minutes.

Aaron Jackson, a 6-2 sophomore who is the only player among the shooting victims currently playing, had 12 points, a team-high 11 rebounds and six assists, constantly beating the Penguins to loose balls to start fast breaks.

Duquesne overcame Quin Humphrey's 23 points, only six in the second half, to win new coach Ron Everhart's debut after leaving Northeastern.

With their six healthiest players playing all but eight minutes, the Dukes shook off the fatigue that caused them to lose their exhibition opener to Division II Millersville and rallied from an eight-point deficit midway through the second half.

Stephen Wood, one of three freshmen starters who scored all but 10 of Duquesne's 31 second-half points, gave the Dukes (1-0) the lead for good at 70-68 with a 3-pointer with 2 1/2 minutes left. He had 11 points. The 6-6 Grote then hit a layup and four free throws and Phillip Fayne added two more foul shots as the Penguins (1-2) repeatedly fouled to try to get the ball back.

Robert Mitchell, another freshman had 14 points, while junior college transfer Reggie Jackson had 10. Keston Roberts added 15 and Dwight Holmes had 12 for Youngstown State.

Because of the upheaval following last season's 3-24 record and the shootings, Duquesne went into the game with its youngest lineup ever. Their only experienced inside player, 6-9 junior Kieron Achara, is sidelined for up to two months with three stress fractures in his foot.

Achara and sophomore guard Jackson were the only veteran players who stayed in the program after the worst record in school history resulted in former coach Danny Nee leaving and Everhart being hired in March.

The Dukes got an emotional lift earlier in the day when 6-7 forward Sam Ashaolu, the most seriously injured of the players shot, made his first public appearance since the Sept. 17 shootings at a news conference. He asked his teammates to play hard and, despite the circumstances, try to win - and later, he surprised them by attending the game even though he said he wouldn't, watching from a private box so he wouldn't attract attention.

The other three shooting victims - Shawn James, Kojo Mensah and Stuard Baldonado - watched from the bench or just behind it.

Duquesne opened a 26-16 lead midway though the first half despite being able to bring only two scholarship players off the bench, while Youngstown State was using 11 players.

These Dukes visibly began to wear down late in the first half, when they couldn't find a defense to slow Humphrey as he finished off a 14-2 run with a 3-pointer that put the Penguins up 37-35. Duquesne came back to lead 40-39 at halftime.