Jan. 9, 2003
Duquesne basketball is taking on both of the Atlantic 10 Conference's Ohio teams as the Dayton Flyers will be hosting both of DU's squads while Xavier welcomes the women only.
DU women (7-5, 0-1) open the competition Friday night in Cincinnati against Xavier (8-4, 0-1) in a 7 p.m. matchup. Then at noon Saturday, DU men (7-8, 1-1) will hit the court against the Dayton Flyers (9-3, 1-0) in the Dukes' first A-10 TV Network game. Sunday 2 p.m. is the appointed time for the contest between the Dayton women (8-4, 1-0) and Duquesne.
Senior Beth Friday needs just nine rebounds to become the first Duquesne player, and fourth in the conference, to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Friday leads the Dukes with 14.0 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Aiga Bautre adds 10.5 points and a team-best 26 three-point goals. Candace Futrell, who led the Dukes' scoring in her first four games with 20.5 ppg, is uncertain for this weekend.
The Dukes, who evened their Atlantic 10 record with a 61-54 home win over Temple on Wednesday, were led by junior Elijah Palmer with a career-high 20 points (8-of-13 from the field including four dunks), six boards, two blocks, two assists and a steal. Palmer is averaging 15.8 ppg. in the last five games, all but one wins for the Red and Blue. Senior Kevin Forney leads the men's scoring with 12.3 ppg. Also hitting double figures are juniors Ron Dokes (10.9 ppg) and Jimmy Tricco (10.5 ppg).
