MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Holding a four-point lead entering the fourth quarter, the Duquesne women's basketball team scored 31 points in the fourth quarter to seal a 74-63 victory over Fordham on Senior Night at the UPMC Events Center on campus of Robert Morris University.

The Dukes (18-10, 8-7) improve to above .500 in Atlantic 10 play with the win and are one step closer to hosting a first round conference playoff game. The Rams fall to 18-10, 10-5 with the loss.

Libby Bazelak (21 pts., 6 reb., 7-13 FG) and Laia Solé (20 pts., 7-9 FG, 6 reb.), combined for 41 points and 12 rebounds in win.

After being honored during the pregame festivities, Paige Cannon recorded her seventh career double-double, matching her career-best with 15 rebounds, while pouring in 15 points on 5-9 shooting from the field. Cannon's previous-best mark came

Senior Night honorees Nina Aho (7 pts., 3 reb., 4 ast), Angela Staffileno (3 pts.) and Cannon combined for 25 points, 19 rebounds 10 assists in the effort.

Amanda Kalin distributed a game-high seven assists on the night.
 

FIRST QUARTER

• Neither team led by more than four points in the first quarter, as the defensive battle began with the Dukes leading the Rams by a score of 13-12 after 10 minutes.
• Fittingly, Aho, Staffileno and Cannon scored Duquesne's first points on senior night.

SECOND QUARTER

• The Dukes built a seven-point lead with a 6-0 sprint to begin the second quarter, but the Rams would eventually take a 24-23 lead after a 10-2 surge.
• After the team's traded points, ultimately Duquesne would hold a slim 27-26 advantage as the teams went into the locker room.
• Fordham was limited to shoot just 25.7 percent (9-35 FG) in the opening half.

THIRD QUARTER

• The Dukes outscored Fordham 16-13 in the third quarter to extend its lead to four at 43-39. The Dukes made 5-of-10 shots from the field in the third frame, while limited Fordham to shoot 6-of-22 from the floor.
• Duquesne made 6-of-9 shots from the charity stripe in the third.  

FOURTH QUARTER

• During the explosive fourth quarter, Bazelak recorded 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 3PT, 2-2 FT) while Cannon added 10 points (3-3 FG, 1-1 3PT, 3-3 FT) combining to not miss a single shot from the field or free throw.
• The Dukes posted nine assists on 11 field goals.
• Overall, Duquesne shot 11-of-16 (68.8%) from the floor, while Fordham countered with a 45.5 percent.
• The Dukes extended its lead to a game-high 13 points at 70-57 and 74-61 after a 27-15 sprint.
• Cannon posted a double-double in the second half alone, with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
• Bazelak registered 17 points in the second half, while Solé added 12 points over the final 20 minutes of the game.

NOTES:

• The Dukes' 31 points in the fourth quarter marked the second most points in a single quarter this season. Duquesne posted 32 points in the third quarter against La Salle on Jan. 11.
• Duquesne posted 21 assists on 27 field goals made.
• Fordham, who entered the game as the league's most stout defense (55.37 points allowed per game), allowed 74 points, tying the most points allowed this season (L, 62-74 @Davidson, Jan. 8).
• Duquesne avenged a season-ending loss a season ago, as Fordham defeated the Dukes 76-34 in the semifinal round of the A-10 Championships at the Palumbo Center.
• The win snapped a four-game losing streak to Fordham. The Dukes now lead the all-time series by a mark of 22-9.
• A-10 leading scorer Bre Cavanaugh was limited to eight points in the second half. She finished with 23 points to lead the Rams offensively.

UP NEXT

• The Dukes look to secure an A-10 Championships First Round home game with a win over St. Bonaventure in the regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon in Olean, N.Y.
• If the Dukes win, Duquesne will host an opponent at La Roche University on Tuesday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m.