PHILADELPHIA - In a game that featured nine ties and 17 lead changes, Pookie Powell's layup with 4.6 seconds left was the difference as La Salle withstood a valiant Duquesne comeback to defeat the Dukes, 73-72 at Tom Gola Arena.

Duquesne, which rallied from 10 down with  just under seven minutes left, was led by Michael Hughes with 18 points. Marcus Weathers finished with 16 and Eric Williams Jr. scored 14 of his 15 in the second half for the Dukes.

Sincere Carry finished with nine points and a game-high seven assists for DU.

Powell led all scorers with 25.

Duquesne, which was down 61-51 6:46 left, took a 71-69 lead when Williams Jr. answered a Saul Phiri 3-pointer with a 3-pointer of his own with 1:41 to go.

La Salle tied it on a pair of free throws, before Carry was fouled and converted one of two.

Michael Hughes came up with a big block with just over one minute left, giving the Dukes a possession that ended with a missed Frankie Hughes 3-point attempt with 42 seconds left.

The Dukes got a stop, and Michael Hughes was fouled with 4.6 seconds left and the Dukes up 72-71. Hughes missed both, setting up Powell's driving score.

Williams Jr. got a good look after a length of the court drive, but his running bank shot from outside the left side of the lane rolled off the rim as time expired.

Duquesne shot 45 percent, including 5-of-21 from the 3-point arc.

La Salle finished at 46 percent, including 8-of-23 from deep.

There were six ties and five lead changes in a first half that ended with the score tied 30-30. The two teams were a combined 3-of-21 from 3-point in the opening 20 minutes.

Duquesne returns home to face George Washington in the tenth annual Chuck Cooper Classic on Saturday at Noon. The game, which will be televised nationally by NBCSN, will also be DU's annual Red Out with the first 1,500 fans receiving special edition red out T-shirts.

NOTES

• Williams Jr. finished with a career high-tying four steals to go along with his 15 points and eight rebounds.
• It was the second consecutive 16-point game for Weathers, who finished 6-of-10 from the field.
• Michael Hughes was 8-of-11 from the field in scoring 18.
• There were nine ties and 17 lead changes … La Salle's largest lead was 11 at 59-48 with 8:12 left …Duquesne's largest lead was three at 7-4 … La Salle took the lead for good on Pookie Powell's layup with 4.6 seconds left ... La Salle led for 24:39 … Duquesne led for 9:11 … the game was tied for 6:10.