The Duquesne Dukes (1-1) lost a heartbreaker Wednesday night, 81-84, at the hands of New Hampshire (2-0).
According to head coach Jim Ferry, the Dukes were thoroughly outplayed by their opponents, who made 15 3-pointers, including 8 of 12 in the second half. Scott Morris led the charge for the Wildcats, scoring 17 points from the bench.
Tra’Vaughn White led all scorers, including four Dukes in double figures, with 18 points. Ovie Soko finished with 14, Dominique McKoy had 13, and Derrick Colter had 12.
Duquesne was able to capture the lead at halftime after digging themselves out of an early 13-2 hole. A pair of layups by Dominique McKoy and Travaughn White on back to back possessions forced New Hampshire to call a timeout with 9:22 remaining and a slim 25-22 lead. Duquesne obtained their second lead of the game with 4:46 left in the half on an L.G. Gill 3-pointer – a lead they would keep for the rest of the half.
Daniel Dion regained the lead for the Wildcats with 11:24 left in the game on one of his team’s eight second half 3-pointers. New Hampshire never led by more than a five point margin for the remainder of the game, and Duquesne managed to regain the lead again, 81-80, on another White layup with 1:26 remaining. However, missed free throws and a turnover by White plagued the Dukes in the final minute and a half, while New Hampshire converted on two free throws in the final minute. Derrick Colter’s three-pointer went off the front of the rim as time expired.
Duquesne will play its first road game of the season against West Virginia (1-1) on Sunday. The game will be televised locally on ROOT Sports. The Dukes upset the Mountaineers last year at Consol Energy Center. With a more balanced squad this year, look for Duquesne to give the Mountaineers another major test.
Photo Credit: Duquesne Athletics
