Jan. 7, 2010

There were plenty of numbers to be glum about in the wake of Duquesne's Atlantic 10-opening, 80-68 loss to Richmond, the Spiders' 13-for-26 performance from three-point range and the Dukes' 3-for-20 effort from behind the arc obvious among them.

But the ones that really seemed to have Ron Everhart glaring a hole through the stat sheet were Duquesne's 10 assists on 24 baskets.

That lack of finish contributed to the Dukes' connecting on just 35.8 percent of their shots from the floor.

Richmond's defense did, too.

But against solid defensive squads such as Richmond it becomes even more imperative to be more unselfish and look for that extra pass more often than the Dukes did on Wednesday night at the Palumbo Center.

Everhart cited the performances of B.J. Monteiro (12 points, nine rebounds) and Sean Johnson (12 points, five boards) as examples of how numbers can become deceiving when the basketball isn't being shared as often as it should be.

"The thing I keep talking to B.J. about is, `It's great that you're scoring, great that you're rebounding. But you're a better player than 5-for-12 (from the floor). You should be 8-for-12, with five assists, because you can pass it. If you're going to drive in there and demand that attention, make the next pass and make a play.'

"Sean, the same way, you can't be 5-for-14. You can walk out of here and say, `I got 12 points and five rebounds in 18 minutes,' but you're 5-for-14. And let's face it, we can find guys to go out there and be 5-for-14. We need to be 11-for-14. You gotta be more efficient than that."

A Bill Clark dish that set Damian Saunders up for a dunk early in the second half was one example of what Everhart is trying to glean from his team at the offensive end.

A slick behind-the-back feed from Eric Evans that led to a subsequent Saunders slam was a fancier example of the difference one extra pass can make in extracting more efficiency from the offense.

That stuff isn't yet happening often enough.

And Melquan Bolding's much-anticipated return won't solve that problem all on its own.

"That's part of being young," Everhart said.

Another number that stood out against Richmond was 13, the number of minutes played by seven-footer Morakinyo Williams.

He'd played only 28 minutes in the Dukes' first 14 games, but that situation is apparently about to change.

Everhart first turned to his Kentucky transfer with 13:45 left in the first half against Richmond and for the most part liked what he saw from Williams, who sank his third basket of the season and added a dimension that had been lacking.

"We gotta get a big guy incorporated in there," Everhart said.

Williams' turn for significant minutes is apparently at hand. Rodrigo Peggau (one minute against Richmond) and Oliver Lewinson (DNP) are also options.

"I don't know how much he can score but I think he helps our team score," Everhart said of Williams. "He occupied a defender in that post-up area to where it enabled guys like B.J. and Billy and Sean to drive, which they do well, and get the ball into the paint and make plays.

"It's a shame we didn't make an additional pass on some of those drives and get the ball to the open man."