Duquesne Remains Perfect And Smashes Radford in Dambrot’s Return Home

AKRON, Ohio – Keith Dambrot’s team is partying like it is 1969. That would be the last time the Duquesne men’s basketball team started a season 9-0. The Dukes represented their head coach well in his home town on Saturday afternoon, defeating Radford in dominant fashion by a final score of 71-49.

The Highlanders (3-6) looked overwhelmed on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Duquesne was efficient each time it crossed the timeline, shooting 50.9% (27-53) from the field. The Dukes did a majority of their work down low, outscoring Radford 34-16 in the paint and out rebounding the Highlanders 42-27.

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Marcus Weathers led the way, finishing with a team high 19 points and 13 rebounds. Tavian Dunn-Martin and Michael Hughes also finished the afternoon scoring in double figures, tallying 12 and 11 points respectively. Additionally, Duquesne received a strong effort off the bench from big man, Baylee Steele who had nine points and seven rebounds.

Defensively, Duquesne set the tone early and did not look back. The Highlanders had just two field goals in the first seven minutes of the game. It did not get much better for Mike Jones’ team after that. The Dukes put together arguably their best showing of the year on the defensive end, limiting Radford to just 31.6% (18-57) shooting performance from the field.

Weathers and Hughes made it clear to the entire gym that shots in the paint were simply not an option, combining for six blocks. Outside looks were no easier to find for the Highlanders who shot 26.1% (6-23) from behind the three point line.

It took Radford nearly 30 minutes of play to eclipse 30 points of offense. A three pointer with 10:42 remaining from Devin Hutchinson ended a dreadful drought for the Highlanders who had been shut out for the previous five minutes and six seconds of action before the ball went through the net.

Leroy Butts IV led Radford with 12 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

Duquesne will wait one week before its next contest, where it will head south to compete in the St. Pete Shootout in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Dukes first opponent in the sunshine state will be Austin Peay (4-5) who fell to West Virginia 84-53 in its last game.