PITTSBURGH – Led by a double-double performance from Libby Bazelak and a stout defensive performance, the Duquesne women's basketball downed St. Bonaventure, 58-39, on Thursday night at La Roche University. The Dukes (14-7, 4-4) even their conference record to .500, while the Bonnies (5-16, 2-6) fall to 2-6 in the A-10.
Bazelak, one of the most efficient 3-point scorers in the country, connected on 2-of-3 from long range and 6-of-10 overall and 2-of-3 from the foul line. The Dukes' leading rebounder completed her third double-double of the season with a game-high 10 rebounds. She only turned the ball over once in 35 minutes and dished three assists.
Nina Aho posted 11 points and dished a team-best four assists in the contest. Precious Johnson knocked down 5-of-6 attempts from the floor and grabbed seven rebounds. Amanda Kalin stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, four rebounds, three assists and three blocks with just one turnover in 32 minutes.
FIRST QUARTER
- Duquesne built an early lead in the opening quarter, grabbing an 11-point advantage at 16-5 after a layup from Aho.
- The Bonnies cut the deficit to eight after a triple, but a pair of converted free throws from Bazelak lifted the Dukes to an 18-8 advantage after one quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
- Both teams struggled to score points in the second frame, as the Bonnies shot 3-of-16 (18.8 percent) from the field and the Dukes countered with a mark of 3-for-11 (27.3 percent).
- Both teams registered eight points in the quarter, as Duquesne extended its advantage to 13 at 23-10, before the Bonnies finished the period on a 6-3 run to make it a 26-16 contest at the half.
- The Dukes outscored the Bonnies 14-4 in the paint in the first half.
THIRD QUARTER
- The Dukes extended its 10-point lead to 15 during the third quarter, as Aho connected on a triple with 1:24 left in the period to put the scoreboard at 43-28 in favor of Duquesne.
- Johnson scored six points in the third quarter, swishing all three of her attempts from the floor.
- The Dukes posted assists on five of their seven field goals, as Duquesne shot an efficient 7-of-12 and 3-of-6 from 3-point land.
FOURTH QUARTER
- Duquesne took control in the final quarter, beginning the period on 15-5 sprint to extend its advantage to a game-high 25 points at 58-33 with 1:56 left.
- The Bonnies scored the final six points, as the Dukes allowed the least amount of points during the conference slate, defeating St. Bonaventure by a score of 58-39.
NOTES
- The Dukes have doubled up the Bonnies in the all-time series, now leading 40-20.
- Bazelak's double-double was the third of her junior season and fifth overall.
UP NEXT
- Duquesne looks to hand VCU its first conference loss of the season on Sunday at noon at the Siegel Center. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
