Five players scored in double figures Saturday in the Duquesne Dukes’ home win against Abilene Christian University. In the first game for both teams, sophomore point guard Derrick Colter led all scorers with 23 points.
Duquesne wasted no time in jumping on their opponents, opening up a 12-0 lead at the hands of four ACU turnovers. An Ovie Soko dunk made it 34-11 with 7:51 left in the first half. Another high-flying dunk by true freshman Desmond Ridenour made it 46-16 with a couple minutes left to play in the half.
The win for the Dukes snapped an eight-game home losing streak. The last home win came on Dec. 19, 2012 over Western Michigan.
Soko, a transfer from UAB who was forced to sit out last season due to NCAA regulations, recorded the 12th double-double of his career with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
The Dukes shot a respectable 51.7 percent from the field and outrebounded their opponents by a 42-33 margin. “In the first half, I liked our defensive disposition,” said Duquesne coach Jim Ferry after the game. “I thought we let our guard down a little bit in the second half. We lacked a little bit of focus.”
Duquesne faces America East conference opponent New Hampshire (1-0) Wednesday night at the Palumbo Center. The Dukes have never played New Hampshire, who was picked to finish 5th in their conference this season.
Photo Credit: Duquesne Athletics
