Washington— The Duquesne Dukes fell to 0-2 in a hard-fought, physical basketball game Sunday night. Sean Johnson led all scorers with a game-high 21 points, while Georgetown’s D’Vauntes Smith-Riviera finished with 19.
Although physical, the Hoyas season opener proved to be a sloppy one. Duquesne finished with 14 turnovers to Georgetown’s 17. The visiting Dukes shot a lousy 4-24 (16.7 percent) from three-point range.
Duquesne was able to jump out to a short-lived 8-5 lead in the early stages of the game. But thanks to Smith-Riviera’s four ensuing first-half three-pointers, the Hoyas were able to go into the locker room with a 27-21 advantage.
Georgetown kept the game just out of reach for most of the 2nd half. Their largest lead was 45-35 thanks to an 8-0 run in the middle of the half. Duquesne was able to mount a comeback in the final minutes of the ballgame, and pulled to within three when Jeremiah Jones sank a three-pointer with 31 seconds remaining.
But the effort proved to be too little too late. Although Georgetown missed their next free throw after Ferry gave the call to foul, the Dukes failed to pull in the defensive rebound and the Hoyas kept possession. Five free throws later, Duquesne’s fate was sealed by a margin of 61-55.
Johnson demonstrated his senior prowess with his 21 point, eight rebound performance. Jerry Jones also played exceptionally well, with 10 points and eight rebounds of his own. But an off-day from the rest of Duquesne’s shooters wound up being the difference in the game.
Photo Credits: Duquesne
