Trenton, N.J. – The Duquesne University men's basketball team fell in the second game of the Jersey Jam Friday at CURE Insurance Arena, dropping a 75-68 decision to Princeton. The Dukes slipped to 0-2 to open the 2024-25 season.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Junior guard
Kareem Rozier drove the lane and converted to give Duquesne a 60-57 edge with 4:34 to play, but the Tigers responded with a 12-3 run to take control, opening up a 69-63 cushion with 42 seconds to go. Blake Peters ignited the surge with a layup, while a turnaround jumper in the lane from Xaivian Lee pushed Princeton (2-0) in front. Rozier was sent to the stripe for a one-and-one opportunity after the floater from Lee but missed the front end, and the Tigers responded on their next possession with a three-pointer from Caden Pierce. Rozier would answer the Pierce triple with one of his own to close Duquesne to within 64-63, but a pair of free throws with 1:22 remaining from Peters preceded a three-pointer from Dalen Davis that gave Princeton a 69-63 edge.
QUOTABLE
"Our attention to detail was very sharp in the first half, and even throughout the majority of the second half," head coach
Dru Joyce III said. "Princeton is going to give you different matchups and styles, and they made some big-time shots, especially late. Overall, I think we made things difficult on them. It's tough. It slipped away from us. I thought we dominated for large stretches of the game, and not to be able to finish, that's a hurdle we have to climb."
EXPANSION ERA
Duquesne led at halftime, 28-25, and stretched its lead early in the second half to double digits, 37-27, after a jumper from sophomore guard
Jake DiMichele. Rozier opened the half with a three-pointer, while junior forward
David Dixon converted in the lane. Senior
Jahsean Corbett would give the Dukes their biggest lead with 13:16 remaining, hitting a pair of free throws that extended the advantage to 42-31. Princeton responded by scoring the next eight points to close to within 42-38. The Tigers found their range in the second half, connecting on eight of their 14 attempts from deep after the break while finishing 11-for-24 (45.8%) overall.
QUOTABLE
"It has not been the easiest of weeks," Joyce III said. "We've been challenged by two really good teams that are picked to win their league. Within that, you gain some scars, you gain some resilience. You can build, too. At the end of the day everyone feels a lot better about a win than a loss, but there is an opportunity to learn and grow from it."
NOTES
Rozier led the Dukes with 14 points as one of three players to score in double figures … Corbett contributed 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals, while Dixon finished with 11 points, four rebounds and three blocks … Combined the trio converted 14 of their 24 shots (58.3%) from the floor … Overall, Duquesne shot 41.4 percent (24-for-58) … Rozier finished with four assists for the Dukes against just one turnover … The Dukes led for 28:18 in a contest that featured five ties and 11 lead changes … Duquesne owned a 26-24 edge in points in the paint, while Princeton held a 16-4 edge on the fast break … The Tigers also got 28 points from their bench compared to 22 for the Dukes ... Opening the doubleheader of the Jersey Jam was Temple and Monmouth, with the Owls earning a 103-74 win over the Hawks.
UP NEXT
Duquesne has a week off before its first true road game of the 2024-25 season, traveling to Chicago, Ill., Friday, Nov. 15, for a 9:00 p.m. tip against DePaul at Wintrust Arena.
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