PITTSBURGH – The Duquesne women's basketball team looks to put an end to a rare losing skid this weekend, hosting a pair of A-10 Philadelphia foes in Saint Joseph's and La Salle at La Roche University's Kerr Fitness Center. The Dukes (2-6, 1-3) will battle the Hawks (3-1, 1-1) on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and will then welcome the Explorers (4-7, 1-3) on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

• Due to health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, home games at La Roche will be played without spectators. The Department of Athletics, based on guidance from state, county and local health officials, will actively review fan attendance policies as the season progresses. For more information, click here.

• Both games will be broadcasted on ESPN+ with live stats available on goduquesne.com.
• Fans living internationally can watch the game here with a subscription.
• Follow @DuqWBB on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.

GAME PROGRAM

THE SERIES

• The Dukes have dominated the series recently with Saint Joseph's, winning five of the previous six meetings, however, the Hawks lead the series 43-13. SJU leads 15-9 in games played in the Steel City.
• Duquesne has posted similar recent success against La Salle, earning victories in 12 of the previous 13 meetings. The Dukes hold a 21-18 advantage overall and a 12-9 lead in games played in Pittsburgh.

KEYSTONE STATE MATCHUPS

• Duquesne has won seven consecutive matchups against Pennsylvania foes, last falling to a Keystone State school on Nov. 8, 2019 against Temple. During that span, the Dukes have knocked off Lafayette, La Salle, Pitt, St. Francis (2x) and Saint Joseph's (2x). Duquesne has not lost to a Pa. school at home since falling to Pitt at the Palumbo Center on Dec. 29, 2018. Since the 2015-16 season, the Dukes are an impressive 27-5 against in-state schools, holding victories over eight (La Salle, Lafayette, Lehigh, Penn State, Pitt, Saint Francis, Saint Joseph's, Temple) of the 13 other Pa. chools in that span. The only Pa. team that the Dukes have faced but have not defeated since 2015-16 is Drexel (0-1, met in 2016-17 WNIT).

• After dropping out of the national rankings for assist/turnover ratio due to not having the minimum number of assists, Megan McConnell now ranks 51^st in the nation (2.68) and ranks third among all freshmen. She ranks third in the conference.
• After her big weekend from beyond the arc (9-of-18 against VCU and Richmond), Tess Myers ranks 39^th in the nation and ranks third in the A-10 in 3-point field goal percentage. She ranks fifth among freshmen in the country in the category. She tied a Duquesne freshman record with six 3's against VCU. In the process, she became the first Dukes since Kadri-Ann Lass in 2015-16 to record at least 20 points in a single game. Lass reached the 20-point plateau three times during her first year on the Bluff (11/24/15, vs. Howard - 25 points, 12/6/15 at Buffalo 21 points, and 3/19/16, 20 points against Seton Hall in first round of the NCAA Tournament. She is the first freshman Duke to score 20 points against an A-10 opponent since Orsi Szecsi registered 20 points against Dayton on 3/5/11 against Dayton. Szecsi also registered 23 points against Charlotte (2/23/11) that season in Atlantic 10 play.
• In four Atlantic 10 games this season, McConnell leads the Dukes in points (12.8 ppg) and assists (4.3 apg), steals (2.5 spg) and ranks second in field goal percentage (.447), third in rebounds (4.5 rpg). She looks to continue leading the Dukes with Amanda Kalin Libby Bazelak missing time due to injury.
• In Duquesne's six losses this season, it has lost by seven points or less on four occasions. Despite the 2-6 record, the Dukes have outscored its opposition in the fourth quarter by a mark of 138-129. However, the first half has been a different story. In losses this season, the Dukes have been outscored 117-87 in the first quarter and 106-88 in the second quarter. The Dukes look to get off to a better start this weekend.

• SJU enters Friday night's matchup with a 3-1 record, with wins over Lincoln University (DII), Monmouth University and split a home-and-home with La Salle to begin conference play.
• Pitt transfer and Norwin High School product Alayna Gribble leads the team with 16 points per game. Gribble did not play in the Hawks' last two contests against La Salle. Gabby Smalls has averaged a double-double in four games this season with 11 points per game and 10 rebounds per contest. She ranks 33^rd nationally in average rebounds.
• Point guard Katie Jekot leads the A-10 in assist/turnover ratio (2.88) and ranks 15^th in the country in assists per game (5.8 apg).
• The Hawks rank seventh in the country in blocks per game with 6.5.

SCOUTING LA SALLE

•  The Explorers enter the weekend with a 5-6, 1-3 record, snapping a three-game losing streak by defeating City Six rival Drexel for the first time since 2009 on Wednesday night. La Salle will battle St. Bonaventure on Friday night in Olean, N.Y. prior to coming to the Steel City.
• Claire Jacobs leads the offense with 15.4 points per game, while Kayla Spruil averages 5.3 rebounds per game off the glass to lead La Salle.
• The Explorers rank ninth nationally in 3-point field goals attempted, 24^th in 3-point field goals made and 47^th in 3-point field goals per game.
• Kate Hill Ranks 44^th nationally in assist/turnover ratio (2.72) and second in the A-10. She also ranks 28^th in assists (49) and 87^th in assists per game (4.5).

UP NEXT

• The Dukes hit the road against Davidson (Fri Jan. 22, 6:00 p.m.) and Fordham (Sun. Jan. 24, 2:00 p.m.) next weekend.