PITTSBURGH - Duquesne head men's basketball coach Jim Ferry announced that senior forward Jeremiah Jones suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Saturday's game against Robert Morris. The injury will sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Jones, who was part of Ferry's first recruiting class at Duquesne, played in every game in his DU career - Saturday's game was his 103rd. He had started 84 consecutive games.

"I'm extremely disappointed for Jeremiah," said Ferry. "He has been a vital part - if not the most vital part - of the transformation process this program has undergone. I know without a doubt, that the same leadership and mental and mental toughness he has shown since day one, will help him get through this. He is still our leader and captain and will continue to do whatever he can to help our team. It's now time for some of our other players to step up."

Jones, who was the Dukes' third-leading scorer at 9.6 ppg., injured the knee while going up for a layup with just under 14 minutes left in the first half of the RMU game. The Gary, Indiana native, who had eclipsed his career scoring high in two of the Dukes' previous six games, was shooting 51.3 percent and was third on the team with 31 assists.

"What happened is unfortunate," said Jones, "but everything happens for a reason. We talk about adversity all the time as a team and I've just hit a bump in the road. I won't let this injury affect myself or the team. The goal is still the same, it's just that the path is now slightly different."

Duquesne (10-2), off to its best start since 1979-80, will break for Christmas prior to heading to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Tuesday, Dec. 29 (ESPN3). DU opens Atlantic 10 play against preseason favorite Dayton at Palumbo Center on Jan. 2 (NBCSN).