Nov. 15, 2009

Box Score

LEWISTON, N.Y - Alex Gensler scored a career-high 20F points to the Duquesne women's basketball team to a 100-69 victory over Niagara on Sunday afternoon. The Dukes set a program record by shooting 80 percent from beyond-the-ace, converting 8-of-10 shots.

Rachel Frederick, Samantha Pollino and Kelly Britcher add 14 points each as the Dukes start out the young season 2-0.

Rachele Folino led Niagara with 14 points and Liz Flooks scored 13 for the Purple Eagles who fall to 0-2.

DU led from start-to-finish, scoring 100 points for the second consecutive game against NU.

The Dukes started out the game leading 10-3 behind a pair of 3-pointers from Gensler. The DU defense clamped down on the Purple Eagles, who missed their five attempts from the floor, holding them without a field goal until 14:42 of the first half.

Duquesne used an 18-6 run over five-plus minutes midway through the first half to take its largest lead of the half, 15 points. The run was capped by an acrobatic shot by Jaclyn Babe as the shot clock expired to give the Dukes a 28-13 lead.

Britcher hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Dukes a 42-32 advantage going into halftime.

DU outscored NU 17-0 off the bench in the first half - 11 points from Britcher and six from Jocelyn Floyd and shot 58 percent (18-for-31) from the floor including 6-of-7 3-pointers.

In the second half, the Dukes were red hot from the floor, erupting for 58 points and hitting 22-of-36 shots for 61 percent. After missing all four foul shots in the first half, the Dukes responded by converting 12-of-12 in the second half. Diana Voynova made all three of her attempts in the second half for six points.

Babe finished with eight assists and seven rebounds, both career-highs.

Duquesne returns to Pittsburgh for their 2009-10 home opener against Mount St. Mary's on Wednesday night. The Dukes and Mountaineers tip off at 7:00 p.m. Fans will receive a rally towel courtesy of UPMC Health Plan.

GAME NOTES

• Duquesne's pervious school record for 3-point field goal percentage was 75% when they went 9-for-12 against James Madison on Nov. 27, 2002

• The Dukes lead the all-time series 11-2 over Niagara

• The last time Duquesne scored 100 points was Nov. 28, 2008 in their record-setting 58-point win over Niagara

• The 58 secomd half points is the most Duquesne has scored in the second half in alomst 19 years - 64 second half points against Mercyhurst on Dec. 5, 1990

Duquesne at Niagara