Duquesne Downs George Mason, 75-52; Dambrot Celebrates 500th Career Win

While wearing his LeBron James logoed Duquesne Men’s Basketball hoodie, Keith Dambrot earned his 500th career victory, as the Dukes bested George Mason 75-52 Wednesday night at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

Duquesne (16-8/6-5 Atlantic 10) was paced by Dae Dae Grant’s 20 points and seven assists. Tevin Brewer added 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. The 52 points Duquesne conceded in this game were a season low.

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George Mason (13-12/5-7 A-10) saw Josh Oduro lead the way with his 13 points and 13 rebounds. DeVon Cooper contributed 12 points. The Patriots matched a season low in points achieved twice earlier this season.

Duquesne went scoreless for the opening 3:04 of this game, as multiple good looks were unable to fall. Grant scored the team’s first seven points.

Grant’s contributions would not stop there as he had a hand in each of Duquesne’s first 19 points as he had three assists and buried three free throws. He also was a perfect three-for-three from the field during this time.

Duquesne’s advantage was a slim one as George Mason took advantage of Oduro’s size advantage in the post and scored 10 of its first 13 points in the paint, a +6 margin during the first eight minutes.

The streak ended when Tevin Brewer called his own number on a floater.

Offensively, Duquesne was connected with six assists on eight makes in the early going. A 13-2 run over 7:38, allowed the Dukes to create some separation, with the highlight coming when Brewer maintained his dribble in the paint and found Austin Rotroff for an and-one play.

While Duquesne allowed George Mason to make at a high rate, 45.5% the Patriots were held scoreless for six minutes as the Dukes built upon its run.

Duquesne made another defensive stand, as George Mason was held scoreless for the final 2:42 of the half and Grant overcame some contact to beat the buzzer.

It was a 31-23 Dukes lead at halftime. Tre Williams was a +15 in the opening half.

Both teams played evenly until Duquesne went on a 10-2 barrage, culminating in Quincy McGriff finding David Dixon for a layup. George Mason coach Kim English called a timeout after this stop.

George Mason would go scoreless for five minutes before Oduro converted an and-one play. That potential momentum shift did not last long as the Dukes would score the next six points.

Rotroff grabbed his second steal of the night and found Grant in transition for a layup and English spent another timeout.

It was smooth sailing for the hosts after that.

Duquesne remains home to host St. Bonaventure Saturday at 12:30 in a contest carried by USA.