Duquesne Secures Impressive 69-59 Road Win Over VCU

RICHMOND, VA — The Duquesne Men’s Basketball ruined VCU’s senior night going 2-0 on its road trip following a 69-59 victory over the Rams Tuesday night at the Siegel Center.

Dae Dae Grant paced Duquesne with 26 points, while Jake Michele banked in 10 points. The Dukes converted 11 of their 12 free throws.

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VCU had Joe Bamisile post 18 points coming off the bench and Tobi Lawal offered 11 points. Zeb Jackson secured10 points for the Rams. VCU played without Max Shulga, its leading scorer who averages 15 points per game.

Duquesne went the first 3:20 without a basket, but broke that streak when an opportunistic Jimmy Clark III sank a three-point basket.

Both teams had to deal with two lengthy delays prior to the first media timeout after DiMichele and Jackson collided. Jackson stayed down and lead official Jeffrey Clark let both teams play allowing for the opening Dukes triple.

As the fans booed Clark’s decision, this led to two delays to clean the court which had blood visible. Prior to the second media timeout, Duquesne had already brought 11 players onto the floor.

It was a defensively oriented first portion of the half, but after David Dixon picked up his second foul, the pace began to speed up.

A 7-0 Dukes run was aided by an offensive possession in which the ball never touched the floor as Tre Williams found DiMichele darting towards the hoop, for a high-percentage score.

For his part, Grant made his trademark circus shot from long distance and later on broke down a defender before fading backwards for a midrange basket.

At halftime, Duquesne led VCU 31-27 and limited its offensive miscues to three turnovers.

Both teams began the second half with offensive opportunities. When Bamisile converted from three-point range, the Dukes called DiMichele’s number once more and his effort led to an and-one opportunity which he converted.

Jackson then went on his own mini run, placing the Rams ahead before Williams went to work on the block for another and-one chance. VCU would lead at the first media stoppage thanks to a 5-for-6 shooting clip.

Bairstow dunked over Drame, as the Siegel Center offered its loudest ovation of the evening, however Clark immediately silenced the crowd with a three-point basket, leading to a 15-3 Duquesne run.

Jakub Necas beat Bairstow for post position and record the Dukes fifth and-one basket of the evening, heading into another media stoppage.

Duquesne’s barrage continued when VCU lost a handle in the post and Matus Hronsky side stepped a defender into a finger roll layup.

The Dukes then had three opportunities and were able to convert as the Rams watched Fousseyni Drame dunk a rebound, activating a timeout in the process.

VCU made two baskets coming out of the stoppage, as Duquesne opted to call a timeout which settled the visiting side down.

When the Rams would try to climb back in the game, the Dukes had an answer, specifically from the three-point line as Grant and Clark converted timely shots.

VCU got Dixon to foul out down the stretch but were unable to hit shots as it unsuccessfully played the foul game.

Duquesne concludes its regular season Saturday afternoon against George Washington back at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in a contest scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff and carried by ESPN+ as well as SportsNet Pittsburgh.