Duquesne Loses Large Lead, Drops Heartbreaker to Richmond, 75-73

The Duquesne Men’s Basketball Team came to Richmond having dropped its last 10 road contests, marking nearly a year since they have won such an outing and despite leading by as many as 22 points, it dropped a 75-73 contest to the Spiders Saturday night.

Duquesne (12-5/2-2 A-10) was led by R.J. Gunn’s 16 points. Gunn broke his Duquesne-high point total he accomplished Wednesday against VCU. Gunn was one of five Dukes to achieve double figures as teammates Jimmy Clark III (12), David Dixon (11), Joe Reece (11) and Brewer (10) rounded out the quintet.

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Duquesne was without Tre Williams in the contest. Earlier this season, Dambrot said he was dealing with a heel contusion, though nothing was confirmed about why he made the trip but was unable to play.

The Dukes came in 10-0 when leading at halftime.

Richmond (9-7/2-1 A-10) was led by Tyler Burton’s 23 points and eight rebounds. Neal Quinn had 13 points and nine rebounds, while Isaiah Bigelow added 12 points.

Brewer was a key part of making Duquesne’s offense go in the early portion of the first half as he not only buried a three-point basket, but also recorded three assists, while Clark had five quick points.

Clark was matched up against Burton who had 19 points in the first half, including very violent dunk.  Gunn also made contributions burying three first-half triples of his own.

Matus Hronsky also provided a boost in his first action since the A-10 opener at Dayton. Hronsky first buried a close-range floater and then connected for a four-point play when Burton was whistled.

This was part of a 31-9 Dukes run in which the visitors buried 12 consecutive shots from the field. Duquesne scored the first 12 points in the run and in an effort to keep up, the Spiders misfired on a backdoor cut and fired an open pass on their next possession right at the Dukes bench.

When the dust settled, Duquesne led by 22 points after the run.

In addition to overcoming Williams injury, Duquesne also committed five first-half fouls before Richmond was called for one and Grant was held scoreless for much of the half.

Duquesne buried 10 three-point shots, shot 62.1% from the field and recorded 12 assists leading 49-34 at halftime.

Richmond increased its intensity in the second half as both Gunn and Joe Reece each picked up his third foul and the Spiders despite Burton departing the court to injury, cut its disadvantage into single digits as Dukes coach Keith Dambrot used a timeout.

Burton returned after the Duquesne timeout.

Richmond went on a 13-0 run over 5:31 and during this time, Reece fouled out as he was first called for an illegal screen. Dambrot did not sub his post player out and then in transition, what Reece hoped was a three-point play instead was a charge as he would have to spend the final 13-plus minutes on the bench.

Whistles would be prevalent in the half against Duquesne as Richmond was in the double bonus with 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

This helped an energized Spiders side cut the advantage to two points, when Gunn buried an open three-point shot to end the run and refocus Duquesne.

With Reece out, both Dixon and Barre would be counted on as the Dukes primary post options.

Richmond would be able to take the lead at the free-throw line as it also gave itself multiple opportunities on misses, outhustling Duquesne to the basketball. The Spiders took 30 free throws in this contest, to the Dukes nine attempts.

Both teams would trade the lead as Dixon and Gunn continued to make positive plays.

Brewer gave Duquesne the lead with 21.9 left in regulation, with a floater very similar to what won the Dukes its non-conference game against North Florida.

On the other end, Burton fell to the floor and Jason Roche made a three-point basket, which would be the difference in this game.

Duquesne continues its three-game road trip with a 7 p.m. contest Wednesday at Saint Joseph’s. That contest will also be on ESPN+.