The Duquesne Men’s Basketball Team led wire to wire as it bested Cleary, putting up a season high in a 95-47 victory Saturday afternoon at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse as it gears up for Atlantic 10 play.
Duquesne (9-3) was led by Jimmy Clark III and Dusan Mahorcic’s 15 points. Clark was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, while also recording four assists. In just his second game back, Mahorcic was a force inside amassing his 15 points in seven total minutes. David Dixon added 12 points for the Dukes, tying a season high.
The Dukes grabbed 49 rebounds and its +28 rebound margin is a high in the Keith Dambrot era, had a season-high 21 assists and were 15-for-18 from the foul line.
For Cleary, Chris Williams paced the Cougars with eight points. Cleary is a first-year program coached by Carl Thomas who was the assistant to the head coach at Duquesne for five seasons. This contest was an exhibition for them and their record remains 0-11.
Duquesne made changes to its starting lineup for the first time this season with both Dixon and Fousseyni Drame starting in place of Chabi Barre and Andrei Savrasov respectively.
The Dukes scored the game’s first seven points, going on an 11-3 run as Cleary called a timeout.
This game served as Duquesne fans’ first opportunity to see Dusan Mahorcic play and within four minutes he had 10 points, establishing a clear post presence and going to the free throw line three separate times, twice on and-one opportunities.
On the second such and-one opportunity, Tre Williams interacted with the Serb as both smiled and the bench erupted.
Duquesne’s halftime advantage was a decisive 53-19 margin as the Dukes capitalized with 24 points off 14 Cleary turnovers and also had a +22 margin in the paint.
In the third quarter, Dixon scored the first six points of the half and the Dukes continues to establish their will in all facets of the game.
Mahorcic came back and grabbed a steal, attempting to run the floor, when his behind-the-back pass was deflected activating a media timeout. Through the entire sequence Mahorcic maintained his smile.
Duquesne was able to empty its bench throughout the game with players such as Andy Barba and Jake DiMichele having an impact on the scoresheet.
Each Dukes player to see the floor had either a rebound or scored.
Duquesne’s Atlantic 10 slate opens with two road contests, the first of which is Wednesday at Massachusetts which will tip at 7 p.m.
POSTGAME VIDEOS
It was a first to say the least as Carl Thomas and Keith Dambrot, opposing coaches held a press conference together.
Given the kinship between the pair is more family than friends, it was natural as both offered unique thoughts as each respective season advances.
Additionally, Dusan Mahorcic spoke postgame for the first time this season and Jimmy Clark III once again took to the podium to offer brief thoughts on the team victory.
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