UMass dominates Duquesne, 89-59

The Dukes got blown out by UMass, 89-59, on Sunday afternoon at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Mass. The contest was never close, as Duquesne struggled from the field all game, making just 19-of-55 shots (34.5%). The Dukes were also below the line from behind the arc, making 7-of-25 attempts (28.0%). Six of the seven triples came from Tess Myers, who led Duquesne with 19 points.

The Dukes are now 9-15 on the season and 4-8 in the Atlantic 10. UMass improved its record to 20-5 and is 8-3 in conference play.

Duquesne basketball on Pittsburgh Sports Now is sponsored by The Summit Academy: setting young men on the path to a better future.

Destiney Philoxy had a standout performance for UMass with 26 points, nine assists and nine rebounds. Philoxy also had four three-pointers. Sydney Taylor was second in scoring with 18 points and had three triples.

From the field, UMass made 36-of-71 shots (50.7%) and were 9-of-21 on three-point attempts (42.9%). UMass also dominated on the glass, as Duquesne got out-rebounded 44-28. In addition, UMass had 21 assists compared to the Dukes’ 11.

After being tied 6-6 at the 6:12 mark, UMass went on a 15-6 run and led 21-11 at the end of the first quarter. The Dukes struggled from the field with a 21.4 shooting percentage, while UMass shot efficiently at 47.1%.

The Dukes continued to shoot poorly in the second quarter, and UMass went into halftime with a commanding, 39-20 lead. Duquesne made just 6-of-28 shots (21.4%) in the first half from the field and were 3-of-13 (23.1%) from behind the arc. All three triples were from Myers, who led the Dukes with nine points at the half.

UMass shot 44.1% from the field in the first half, converting 15-of-34 shots. From behind the arc, UMass was 4-of-10 (40%). Philoxy led UMass with 14 points and Taylor had 11 points. Philoxy and Taylor each had two triples in the first half.

After a three-pointer by Myers, Sam Breen answered with a three-pointer of her own to increase UMass’ lead to 48-27 with 7:49 left in the third quarter. The same sequence happened a few minutes later, as Taylor nailed a three-pointer to put UMass up 53-31 following a triple by Megan McConnell. The combination of Philoxy, Taylor and Breen continued to dominate and UMass went into the fourth quarter with a 64-42 advantage. Philoxy, Taylor and Breen all had double-digits through three quarters.

UMass continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter and came away with a 30-point victory. It was a dominating performance by UMass right from the get-go. All five of UMass’ starters scored double-digit points.

The Dukes’ next game is on Wednesday, Feb. 16, against Richmond at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.