ITHACA, N.Y. – Paced by a career-game from Libby Bazelak, the Duquesne women's basketball team earned its eight consecutive victory this season against Cornell, 72-62, on Tuesday night at Newman Arena. The Dukes' (8-2) eight consecutive wins matches its longest unbeaten streak since the Dukes rallied off eight wins twice in the 2017-18 season.
Bazelak matched her career-high of 21 points, grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds, distributed six assists, earned five steals to lead the Dukes in all four categories. She also tallied a block, which tied for the team-best. The junior knocked down 4-of-7 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 from long range and went a very impressive 10-of-12 from the foul line. The Kettering, Ohio native turned the ball over just twice in 39 minutes of action.
Amanda Kalin and Amaya Hamilton also registered double figures, as Kalin netted 14 points and grabbed six rebounds. Hamilton added 13 points, while Paige Cannon and Laia Solé each posted nine. Solé also snagged six rebounds off the glass, as the Dukes out-rebounded the nation's second-best rebounding team in terms of margin by a mark of 40-39.
It was Cornell that came out of the gates strong offensively, building its largest lead of the contest at 11-4. A triple from Hamilton sliced the deficit to four, as the Dukes closed the first half on a 13-2 run to take a 17-13 lead into the second quarter. Hamilton registered eight of her 13 points in the first 10 minutes of the contest.
Duquesne saw its lead slip to at three different points in the second period, but the Dukes refused to relinquish the lead. With the Dukes up eight points on the Big Red (5-4) with 2:35 left, the teams would trade points until halftime, as Duquesne entered the locker room with a 35-26 advantage.
During the third quarter, Duquesne increased its lead to a game-high of 15 points at 51-36 and 58-43 as the Dukes outscored the Big Red 25-20 in the third frame. Ultimately, Duquesne entered the final quarter up 14 points at 60-46. Cannon led the Dukes in the frame with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from the field.
The Big Red gained traction on the scoreboard in the fourth period, cutting the Dukes' lead to just five at 66-61 with 1:35 remaining. Bazelak and Kalin combined to sink six free throws to put the game on ice, as the Dukes escaped Newman Arena with a 72-62 win.
The Dukes are back in action on Sunday for its second home game at La Roche University, when Duquesne hosts Saint Francis at 2:00 p.m.
