Duquesne snapped a tough four game losing streak Saturday afternoon on the road, beating Rhode Island by a score of 83-71. The game saw two Duquesne players achieve landmark points in their basketball careers.
Freshman L.G. Gill came off the bench for the Dukes and scored a career high 19 points, that included 5 of 6 from 3-point range. Ovie Soko had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, but more importantly scored his 1000th career point as a college basketball player. He reached the mark on a free throw with 1:55 to play in the first half. Soko, who scored over 500 points at UAB before coming to Duquesne, also hit his highest rebound total since the win at St. Francis.
Duquesne fell behind for a little while in the beginning of the first half, trailing by as much as seven early on. However, by the nine minute mark, they had regained a lead they would hold for the entire game. Both teams shot well over 50 percent, but Rhode Island committed 15 miscues throughout the course of the game, resulting in 22 points for Duquesne. Rhode Island had 15 points off of 13 Duquesne turnovers.
Thanks to Gill, Duquesne also outscored Rhode Island’s bench 30-2. E.C. Mathews of URI led all scorers with 32 points on 11 of 15 shooting. Xavier Munford added 16 in the losing effort.
Micah Mason had a quiet game Saturday afternoon, only attempting two threes and finishing with 5 points – his lowest total in several games. But the Dukes, led by Soko and Dominique McKoy, controlled the inside game, winning the rebounding battle 29-25. McKoy finished with 11 points.
Duquesne (11-13, 3-8) heads to New York on Wednesday to take on St. Bonaventure for the second time this season. The Dukes beat the Bonnies earlier this year on a last-second 3-pointer by Derrick Colter.
Photo Credit: Duquesne Athletics
