Washington, D.C. - The Duquesne University women's basketball team used a 17-7 fourth quarter to pull away and secure a 14-point victory (65-51) at Howard on Tuesday evening inside Burr Gymnasium. 

Four Dukes netted double digits paced by Nae Bernard with 18 off six three pointers, which tied a career high. Duquesne finished the game with a commanding 12-5 edge in made three pointers.

Precious Johnson recorded her seventh career double-double and first of her senior season with 11 points and 11 rebounds, all while battling foul trouble. 

Amaya Hamilton scored 12 points and had a career-high five steals. Megan McConnell charted 10 points with seven rebounds, a game-high six assists, and three steals. 

Howard (1-3) jumped out to an early nine-point lead just under seven minutes into the game, but an 8-2 Duquesne run to end the opening frame made it a one-possession game (20-17) at the first intermission. The Dukes scored 12 of their 17 first-quarter points from beyond the arc. 

Duquesne (2-1) carried the momentum into the second quarter outscoring the Bison 19-8, including a 14-3 stretch to close the half and take an eight-point lead to the break. The Dukes upped the defensive pressure and held Howard off the board over the final 5:36 and forced seven turnovers in the second quarter. Bernard and Johnson each had nine points in the first half, while Johnson added seven of her 11 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. 

DU never trailed after gaining the lead on a fast-break McConnell lay up at the 6:37 mark in the second quarter, however the Bison did not give in. 

Duquesne quickly got the lead up to double digits (40-30) early in the third quarter, but a 12-2 Bison spurt tied things up at the 3:35 mark. 

The Dukes clawed back up to a two-possession lead heading into the fourth quarter after a buzzer-beating putback by Jerni Kiaku made it 48-44. 

Duquesne held Howard to just one basket over the first six and a half minutes of the final quarter, while extending its margin back up to double figures. Naelle Bernard drained a pair of triples down the stretch and Tess Myers put DU ahead by 10 with a long ball of her own with 3:06 to play. 

The persistent DU defense ended up totaling 22 Bison turnovers. The Dukes turned them into 26 points of their own, featuring 10 points off turnovers in both the second and fourth quarters. 

Despite Howard holding a rebounding advantage, Duquesne outscored the Bison 16-9 in second chance points. 

UP NEXT 
The Dukes will be inside the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse for the first time this season on Saturday, hosting Pitt for the City Game. Start time is scheduled for 2 pm. 

TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for the home opener, which features $1 Beers, as well as every home game this season are available now by clicking here.

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