Pittsburgh, Pa. – Five Dukes scored in double figures as the Duquesne University men's basketball team picked up its first home win of the 2024-25 season, and first win on United States soil, with an 80-66 victory over Delaware Friday at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Winners of two of their last three, the Dukes improved to 2-7 (.222) overall during the 2024-25 season.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Tahron Allen gave the Blue Hens a 44-43 lead early in the second half by hitting a pair of free throws before Duquesne used a 12-5 run to open up a 55-48 advantage with 11:43 remaining. Junior forward
Chabi Barre gave the Dukes the lead with a layup off a feed from junior guard
Kareem Rozier and was fouled in the act by John Camden, the leading scorer for Delaware (5-4). Barre completed the three-point play and was a key factor offensively early in the second half for the Dukes, converting a pair of alley-oop dunks. Redshirt junior guard
Maximus Edwards added a three-pointer for Duquesne, while junior forward
David Dixon capped the run with a pair at the free-throw line. Niels Lane helped stem the tide with a three-pointer to pull the Blue Hens to within 55-51, but a 9-2 burst for the Dukes that was capped by a three-pointer from Rozier opened up the first double-digit cushion of game for either team, giving Duquesne a 64-53 edge.
DAGGER
Using a full-court press to try and stymie Duquesne in the final five minutes, Delaware closed to within 67-61 after a driving layup from Lane with 2:55 remaining, who led all scorers in the contest with a season-high 20 points. The Dukes broke the press and answered the layup from Lane, with senior guard
Tre Dinkins III stepping up big on consecutive possessions. He connected from deep twice in 30 seconds, with his second helping push the lead for Duquesne to 73-62 with 1:50 to go. The Dukes sealed the win at the stripe, going 7-for-8 in the final 1:34 to give head coach
Dru Joyce III his first home victory.
QUOTABLE
"It feels good," Joyce III said. "You always want to be able to secure wins at home, because that's your support. Those are the people that appreciate you and show up for you. You want to do well for them. You want to put on your best performance and win. It's important that you protect your home court and home floor. We have a few games to make up for in that department. I have a group of young men that I know work hard. It's challenging to win. I know the effort and the energy that they pour in each and every day. It's great to see them celebrate after a win."
FIVE AGAINST ONE
Duquesne had five players reach double figures in scoring for the first time since an 88-79 victory over Massachusetts March 1, 2023, at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Dinkins III led the Dukes with 18 points and added five rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Rozier matched a season high with 14 points while handing out a game-high five assists. Barre reached double figures for the third consecutive game with 10 points, while Edwards also added 10 points.
REVOLUTION 9
Redshirt junior guard
Cam Crawford was a key contributor off the bench, becoming the ninth different member of the Dukes in nine games this season to record a double-figure scoring game. He scored 10 points and was one of six different student-athletes to finish with at least five rebounds, posting six. Sophomore forward
Jakub Necas paced Duquesne with seven caroms while scoring eight points, Edwards and senior forward
Jahsean Corbett each finished with six boards, with Corbett also scoring eight points, while Barre and Dinkins III each grabbed five rebounds.
QUOTABLE
"I had a conversation with (Cam) and I said to him 'It's about time you attack the basket,' and doing it the right way," Joyce III said. "He's a really good finisher around the rim. It's a big reason why we thought highly of him. I appreciate his mindset. I didn't find opportunities for him early on. I've been able to insert him, and he's responded. He's done a great job with the minutes and opportunities he's had. He's made the most of them."
NOTES
Delaware entered Friday's game averaging 79.8 points per game but were held to its lowest total since Nov. 12, a 64-58 win at Iona … Camden, a transfer from Virginia Tech who began his NCAA Division I career at Memphis and averaged 17.1 points per contest entering Friday's game, was held to nine points on 2-of-10 shooting, including 0-for-6 from beyond the arc … The Dukes owned a 32-28 edge in points in the paint … Duquesne set a season high with 46 rebounds, including 20 offensive boards … Necas notched five offensive rebounds, while Crawford posted four … The Dukes shot a season-high 78.6 percent (22-for-28) at the free-throw line, including 83.3 percent (10-for-12) in the second half … The contest featured four ties and seven lead changes ... Barre earned his first start of the 2024-25 season against Delaware.
QUOTABLE
"We've been in that position so many times of being down, I think we recovered very well tonight," Rozier said. "Our seniors stepped up big tonight. Tre, Jahsean, I think they did a great job. We overcame the challenge. We fought through adversity, and that was big. We have to build on it. It starts in practice. We have to bring it again and get ready for the next one."
UP NEXT
The Dukes conclude a three-game homestand at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse Wednesday, Dec. 11, with a 7:00 p.m. tip against Maine.
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