RIVERDALE, N.Y. – Led by career-best performances from Libby Bazelak and Angela Staffileno, the Duquesne Dukes picked up its first win of the season by defeating Manhattan, 76-65, on Sunday afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium.
The Dukes (1-2) gained separation by outscoring the Jaspers (0-2), 17-6, in the third quarter, which helped pad the lead when the Manhattan strung together a late-rally attempt in the fourth quarter.
Bazelak posted her second career double-double and the first of the season, leading the Dukes with 21 points and 10 rebounds. She made 6-of-9 shots from the field, including 4-of-6 from long range. From the charity stripe, the Kettering, Ohio native converted 7-of-8 attempts.
Staffileno also poured in 21 points, as the redshirt-senior connected on half of her six attempts from 3-point land. She sunk 6-of-7 shots from the line, as she topped her previous high of 14 points against Maryland Eastern Shore in 2015.
Amanda Kalin also reached double-figures for the Dukes, as the junior added 12 points and distributed a career-high seven assists against the Jaspers.
As a team, Duquesne led Manhattan in the rebound column (44 to 38), on assists (16 to 12), and steals (9-7). The Dukes outshot the Jaspers 41.8 percent to 34.3 percent and 38.1 percent to 34.8 percent on shots from outside the 3-point arc.
With Duquesne leading 13-12 in the first quarter, the Dukes put together a 8-0 run to extend its lead to 21-12 with 2:24 remaining in the opening quarter. The Jaspers cut the deficit to five, but Anie-Pier Samson converted a free throw with less than a minute left, as the Dukes led the Jaspers 22-16 after the first 10 minutes.
The Dukes got off to a strong start in the second quarter, as Duquesne earned a 15-point lead at 34-19 with 6:27 to play until halftime. The significant separation on the scoreboard did not last long, as the Jaspers closed the half on a 15-4 surge. The Dukes entered the locker room with a 38-34 advantage as a result.
The Dukes put together its best defensive quarter of the young season in the third frame, as Duquesne limited Manhattan to score just six points. The Jaspers tallied one field goal in the entire quarter, as the Manhattan's Sydney Watkins connected on a 3-pointer with just 12 seconds remaining in the frame. Overall Manhattan shot just 1-of-12 from the floor. Staffileno recorded nine points herself in the pivotal quarter, as the Dukes pounced to a extend its lead to 55-40. Manhattan's six points in the third quarter tied a Dan Burt-era low with Central Michigan. The Chippewas were limited to six points in the third quarter against the Dukes on Dec. 3, 2015.
In the fourth, Duquesne extended its lead to a game-high 19 points at 59-40. Manhattan outscored the Dukes 25-21 in the final quarter, but the Jaspers were unable to cut the Dukes' lead to under 11. The Dukes ultimately prevailed, 76-65, after connecting on 12-of-14 attempts from the stripe in the quarter.
The Dukes look to make it two wins a row in the Empire State, when Duquesne returns to the Big Apple on Friday to face Iona. The contest on ESPN+ is set for a 7:00 p.m. start against the Gaels.
