DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Duquesne women's basketball team battled back from an early deficit and went wire-to-wire with Davidson, but the Dukes came up just short by a score of 79-76 on Sunday afternoon at Belk Arena.

The Dukes (16-9, 6-6) had an opportunity to tie the game on its final possession as time expired, but the Wildcats (14-11, 7-5) locked down defensively to earn the victory.  

Paige Cannon led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game, pouring in 18 points (6-10 FG, 2-4 3PT) . The redshirt senior grabbed three rebounds, distributed three assists and earned two steals.

Joining Cannon in double-figures were Amaya Hamilton (14 pts), Amanda Kalin (13 pts) and Libby Bazelak (10 pts).

Nina Aho led the charge off the glass with six rebounds, while Bazelak and Hamilton added five each.  

FIRST QUARTER

• Davidson began the contest on a 14-4 run to take a significant lead early on.
• The Dukes responded with an 8-3 charge to end the first frame to cut the deficit to just five points at 17-12 after 10 minutes.

SECOND QUARTER

• Davidson extended its lead to a game-high 13 points at 27-14 after a quick 10-3 run to start the second quarter.
• Duquesne slowly chipped away at the lead, finishing the half on a 9-2 run, as Davidson took a 37-32 lead into the locker room.

THIRD QUARTER

• Duquesne quickly tied the game at 41-41 and 44-44 after a pair of triples from Cannon.
• The Dukes grabbed its first lead of the game at 45-44 with 5:32 left in the second quarter after a free throw from Bazelak.
• With Davidson clinging to a 53-52 lead, the Wildcats ended the quarter on a 6-2 run to take a 59-54 lead into the locker room.
• Cannon registered 10 points in the third quarter alone, drilling 4-of-8 attempts from the field.

FOURTH QUARTER

• The Dukes dug deep and grabbed a 60-59 lead after a jumper from Hamilton.
• A quick 9-1 Wildcat run lifted Davidson to a 68-61 advantage with 4:46 left.
• After Hamilton dropped in a pair of free throws with 13 seconds remaining to make it a two-point game at 78-76. The Wildcats made 1-of-2 attempts, as Duquesne would hold possession with just over 10 seconds left in a one possession game. Kalin attempted a three-pointer that landed short, as the Dukes fell to Davidson, 79-76.
• Duquesne made 70 percent of its attempts from the field in the fourth (7-10 FG) and 80 percent of its attempts from the stripe (8-10).
• Kalin and Hamilton each posted eight points in the fourth frame.

NOTES

• Cannon surpassed 500 career rebounds in the first half against the Wildcats. She now has 501 career caroms in 123 career games.
• The Dukes went 21-of-26 from the free throw line (80.8 percent) against the Wildcats. Over its last two games, the Dukes have combined to shoot 36-of-44 (81.8) percent from the charity stripe.   
• Duquesne is now 2-1 all-time at Belk Arena and 8-3 against Davidson overall.

UP NEXT

• Duquesne returns home for three home games in six days, hosting Rhode Island at PPG Paints Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 19, George Washington at La Roche University on Saturday, Feb. 22 and Fordham at Robert Morris University on Tuesday, Feb 25.  
• The Dukes close the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 29 at St. Bonaventure.