Jan. 2, 2003
The Duquesne Dukes basketball teams are heading to Philadelphia to start the Atlantic 10 Conference portion of each's schedule. The women (7-3) will take on the La Salle Explorers (also 7-3) at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Tom Gola Arena. Two days later, the men (6-7) will head to Hawk Hill for a Sunday 4 p.m. meeting with Saint Joseph's (8-1) at the Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.
The ladies are led by junior Candace Futrell (20.5 ppg) who is expected to return to the floor after resting an ankle injury suffered in the fourth game of the season. Also scoring in double figures are senior Beth Friday (13.6) and freshman Aiga Bautre (10.8), both of whom were named to the Lady Luck Classic All-Tournament team. Bautre, who became a starter when Futrell was unavailable, was named the A-10 Rookie of the Week this past Sunday.
Meanwhile the gentlemen, winner of five of their last seven games, are looking to build on a three-game winning streak that includes the FIU New Years Classic title (over St. Francis, N.Y. and host Florida International) and a New Year's Eve win at home over Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Junior Elijah Palmer, who regained his starting slot in the last three contests, is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds over that period and was named MVP of the FIU New Year's Classic. Fellow junior Ron Dokes (11.4 ppg) was also named to the FIU All-Tournament Team. Also averaging in double figures are junior Jimmy Tricco (11.2 ppg) and senior Kevin Forney (11.6 ppg), who was named to the San Juan Shootout All-Tournament Team. And freshman Bryant McAllister, who has started the last six games at point guard, is averaging 10.7 points in that stretch and was named A-10 Rookie of the Week for the week of Dec. 14-21.
And next week, there are special events in connection with basketball on the bluff. Monday night (Jan. 6) at 7:05 p.m. at the Palumbo Center is a Coaches vs. Cancer contest as the Dukes host nationally ranked Vanderbilt (#11 USA Today / #12 AP). One dollar from all tickets sold will be donated for cancer research!
Pittsburgh's own Edna Campbell, a breast cancer survivor, will address the crowd at half time. The Allderdice graduate and University of Texas star, made a courageous come-back in the Sacramento Monarch's final game of the season this year after being placed on the injured reserve list in March when she announced her illness. (more)
The Philadelphia connnection returns on Wednesday, Dec. 8, as the men will host the Temple Owls at 7:35 p.m. at Palumbo with, we're happy to report, head coach John Chaney on the bench. The Hall-of-Famer had a short stay in a hospital last month.
"Duquesne No. 1" foam fingers will be given to the first 500 fans in attendance Wednesday. The giveaway is sponsored by Stargate.
