Duquesne MBB Snaps Skid With Nationally Televised Win

The Duquesne Men’s Basketball Team snapped a five-game losing streak by defeating Loyola Chicago 69-56 Saturday night at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

Duquesne (10-14/5-6 Atlantic 10) was paced by Tre Dinkins III’s 12 points. Cam Crawford chimed in with 11 points, while David Dixon compiled 10 points and nine rebounds. Jakub Necas also achieved double figures with his 10 points.

The Dukes bench outscored the Ramblers 32-9 and all nine players to see the court scored.

Loyola Chicago (14-9/5-5 A-10) saw Des Watson shake off a 2-for-10 first-half performance to earn 14 points. Sheldon Edwards Jr added 11 points and Miles Rubin 10.

Duquesne’s defense got off to a strong start, holding Loyola Chicago scoreless for the first 3:39, but offensively had two points on an Eli Wilborn post touch to show for it.

When the Ramblers were able to score, it was the next five points. Even with Crawford’s answer, Loyola Chicago led 5-4 at the first media timeout.

The visitors would hold an 11-6 lead before Duquesne really got into the contest.

It was a Dinkins turnaround and then coach Dru Joyce III ordered his team to pressure the ball. This caused a double team which was only broken when Ramblers coach Drew Valentine called a timeout.

Instead of that stoppage helping, Duquesne only continued what was an 11-0 run. The ball moved for extended periods of time.

Loyola Chicago snapped that scoreless drought, only for Maximus Edwards to convert a three-point shot. On the defensive end, Edwards appeared poised for a steal, only for Sean Hull to blow his whistle, much to the fans chagrin.

As the half wore on, it appeared that Duquesne would widen its lead, though Loyola Chicago’s Edwards made some crucial shots.

Duquesne looks as though it would have a four-point lead, but after its timeout with 27.9 remaining in the half, Kareem Rozier found Necas for a three-point basket as the clock expired.

This gave the Dukes a 34-27 advantage after 20 minutes.

A 5:18 scoreless streak greeted Duquesne at the start of the second half. Though Loyola Chicago turned that into a 6-0 run, it has established some form of momentum and was the far more energetic side at that point.

It would be a 7:33 scoreless streak for Duquesne, which Watson capitalized for three points, allowing the Ramblers to briefly take a lead.

Rozier answered, holding his finish on a three-point shot which fell through the bottom of the net.

Both teams would trade the lead back and forth, before four Duquesne points allowed it to lead by three points. The Dukes would stretch the lead to five points on a Wilborn block which transitioned into a Jahsean Corbett score.

After another Loyola Chicago timeout, Watson buried a three pointer, and each team started matching baskets. One such basket was a Rozier lob to Dixon.

Dixon then was given space and made a three-point basket, his fifth of the season and seventh in his career. After Loyola Chicago missed, it set up the final media timeout.

Up eight, Dinkins had to make a leaping individual effort to prevent a backcourt violation and Dixon’s jump pass found an open Crawford, who buried a corner three, giving Duquesne an 11-point advantage.

From there it was a mere formality as a “let’s go Dukes” chant break out as the hosts closed play on a 13-3 run.

Duquesne has a week before its next contest as it heads back on the road to face Dayton. The Dukes will look to even up the season series after an 82-62 Jan. 21 setback.

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