Duquesne Comeback Falls Short, Drops 71-67 Decision To Davidson

The Duquesne Men’s Basketball Team nearly matched its largest comeback of the season, but instead fell short 71-67 to Davidson Sunday afternoon at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

Duquesne (19-10/9-7 Atlantic 10) was led by Dae Dae Grant’s 20 points and Jimmy Clark III’s 13 points. The Dukes shot 57.7% from the field in the second half.

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Davidson (14-14/7-9 A-10) saw Grant Huffman lead the way with his 16 points, Foster Loyer added 15 and Sam Mennenga 14.

Duquesne had its struggles in the first half as it could not sustain offensive momentum and was 1-for-11 from three-point range.

Defensively, Duquesne conceded a 51.7% rate to Davidson.

It was a first half which did see a single foul called until 10:32 remained, as both teams settled for more jump shots.

Davidson first utilized its height against Duquesne to open on a 6-2 run before the Dukes would briefly find their own shot.

The Wildcats also had their initial struggles from deep, which only encouraged both Huffman and Mennenga to find other ways to contribute.

This contest was tied at 14, when Davidson made its move. A flagrant one could have benefitted Duquesne, but one of the two free throws were missed as was a three-point shot.

It was a 9-1 run which create some separation as Duquesne struggled to find its shot.

In one instance, down 12, RJ Gunn badly missed a three-point shot which grazed the side of the backboard, Tre Williams grabbed the rebound and missed Gunn’s backdoor cut which would have led to a basket.

After coming up empty, Davidson took over possession and after rotating the ball, Loyer found Reed Bailey for a dunk.

At halftime, Davidson was in front 36-22.

As the second half started, Duquesne remained a step behind Davidson as the visitors were generating offense quicker and reading Duquesne’s actions quicker.

Duquesne found a second gear, allowing fans to get involved for the first time all game, but Davidson had a response.

When Jimmy Clark III picked up his fourth foul, Duquesne get to be without its defender as he got caught gambling for steals three times within a couple minutes span.

Undeterred, the Dukes cut the game to 10 but Davidson calmly resumed play, with Desmond Watson driving for a layup.

While Clark was out for Duquesne, Loyer also picked up his fourth foul and all of a sudden, Davidson was without its leading scorer.

All of a sudden, the game broke out into a three-point shootout of sorts, with Tevin Brewer connecting on a three-point basket, to make this contest a single-digit affair once again.

With Loyer out of the game, Davidson turned Connor Kochera and Watson to maintain, but Duquesne cut the game to six points as an anxious Loyer looked on.

When Loyer came back in, it appeared that he had committed a foul and official Bill Covington Jr appeared ready to disqualify him from the game, before ruling the call was on Huffman halfway towards the scorer’s table, a call that would haunt the Dukes later on.

Duquesne got to within one point, with the crowd getting as loud as it has all season, before Loyer created separation from Brewer for a contested three-point basket.

Clark then connected twice at the line as both teams were back within one possession.

Davidson nearly committed a 10-second violation but got a timeout in time, after which Loyer again got the job done from deep, this time catching Williams with his hands down.

Down the stretch, Davidson split free throws securing victory.

Prior to the win, Duquesne honored seniors Gunn, Tevin Brewer, Jake Harper, Joe Reece and Austin Rotroff in addition to head student manager Colin Bucenec.

This setback places the Dukes hopes of earning a double bye in the Atlantic 10 Championship in serious doubt.

Duquesne will wrap up its home slate of regular season play hosting Massachusetts Wednesday at 7 p.m. ESPN+ will carry the contest.