Kalamazoo, Mich. – Behind three Dukes in double figures, the Duquesne women's basketball team earned its first road victory of the season, defeating Western Michigan 72-64 inside University Arena on Sunday afternoon during non-conference action. With the win, the Dukes improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2022-23 season.

POINT OF EMPHASIS
It was an offensive struggle to open the contest as the two teams combined for just two field goals in the opening four minutes before sophomore Fatou Sane gave the Dukes an early 7-2 lead with a layup. The Broncos responded with eight consecutive points to take a 10-7 advantage before a pair of free-throws from sophomore Kellie McConnell halted the run. Western Michigan (0-2) would take a 14-10 advantage before free-throws from junior Reina Green and a bucket from freshman Alexis Bordas cut the deficit to 14-13 after the opening quarter. After a layup from redshirt sophomore Gabby Grantham-Medley knotted the score at 18-all, Duquesne used an 11-0 run to secure its largest lead of the half, 29-18. Junior Dunja Zecevic sparked the run with a jumper before Bordas netted nine consecutive points, all coming from behind the arc. The Broncos didn't shy away as they ended the quarter on a 12-4 stint, to trail 33-30 at the break.

CRASHING THE GLASS
The second half was as evenly matched as it could get, with both teams shooting over 40 percent in the final 20 minutes. The difference came on the glass as the Dukes held a 20-16 edge in total rebounds in the half, including a 12-5 advantage on the offensive boards, which helped them score eight second-chance points and 26 points in the paint. Duquesne opened the half with a 10-6 run, extending its lead to 43-36, with five different Dukes contributing a basket. After a two-minute scoring drought, freshman Raevin Washington pushed the advantage back to double digits with a layup at the 4:46 mark. Western Michigan responded with six straight points to trim the lead to 46-42, but Bordas answered with an old-fashioned three-point play, giving Duquesne a 52-44 lead heading into the final quarter. The Broncos got as close as 55-50 early in the fourth, but the Dukes pulled away, shooting 7-of-14 from the field over the final seven minutes to secure the win.

SCORING TRIO
Three Dukes finished in double figures, led by freshman Alexis Bordas, who posted a game-high 24 points along with four rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Bordas was 5-of-10 from three-point range, scoring 14 of her 24 points in the first half. The West Virginia native shot 5-of-9 from the field and an impressive 4-of-7 from beyond the arc in the opening 20 minutes. In her first action of the season, sophomore Harriet Ford contributed 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting while collecting a team-high seven rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. She scored 10 of her 15 points and grabbed all seven boards in the final 20 minutes. Junior Dunja Zecevic rounded out the trio with 10 points, three assists, and two rebounds, marking her third straight game with a double-figure scoring effort this season.

INSIDE THE STAT SHEET
Sophomore Mackenzie Blackford ended with seven points, four rebounds, and three assists while Raevin Washington ended with six points and five boards. Sophomore Faith Walker tied her career-high with six rebounds. As a team, Duquesne held a 37-32 advantage on the glass while leading 17-7 on the offensive glass. It's the third straight contests the Dukes have forced 20 or more turnovers, forcing Western Michigan into 22 while totaling seven steals.

UP NEXT
Duquesne returns back to UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse when it welcomes West Liberty on Tuesday, Nov. 9, with the opening tip scheduled for 5:00 p.m.