Rallying from a four-point deficit in overtime, Duquesne (4-1) sealed a 96-92 win over Milwaukee (4-3) in the second round of the Gulf Coast Showcase at Estero, Fla.
Senior guards Derrick Colter and Micah Mason scored a combined 53 points for the Dukes, with Colter earning a career-high 27 points and Mason finishing with 26.
Colter fouled out with 2:36 left in overtime.
Duquesne head coach Jim Ferry said his team maintained composure even in foul trouble, specifically with Colter’s absence from the court.
“Our guys just kept playing,” Ferry said. “I thought our guys really stepped up today, so that was a big win for us.”
Eric James added 15 points for Duquesne. The sophomore forward came off the bench to make a steal and free throw in the final seconds of the game. Junior center Darius Lewis contributed 11 points and junior forward L.G. Gill added 9.
Senior forward Matt Tiby led the Panthers with 29 points.
The Dukes shot .648 from the field, a best under Ferry.
“It was a big win for us,” Mason said. “We just grinded out a win. It’s good for our program because in the past years we struggled to win those close games and today we came out on top.”
Ferry said his team, which finished with Colter fouling out and the other four starters each tallying four fouls, needs to alter its defense.
“We have to adjust,” Ferry said. “We’re fouling a little too much right now as a program. We’ve got to stop doing that.”
Duquesne faces Western Kentucky in the fifth place game of the Showcase tomorrow at 2:30 p.m.
Photo courtesy of goduquesne.com
