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 ... Read More
Zanna’s double-double leads Panthers past Fresno State
After serving a one game suspension for violating team rules, Pitt senior forward Talib Zanna made his 2013-14 season debut Tuesday night and did it with a bang, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, leading the Panthers to a 75-54 win over Fresno State. Zanna's big performance was coupled by a big game from guard Cameron Wright, who scored a career-high 13 points to go along with six rebounds. “My confidence level has gone up a lot," Wright said. “My teammates set me up on offense. ... Read More
PSAC West Hardwood Moment: Rock, Cal U, Seton Hill open season
Both Slippery Rock and Cal U opened their weekend at the Clarion Hotel Classic hosted by Shepherd University on Saturday and Sunday. Seton Hill also opened their season Saturday. Slippery Rock started their season off with an overtime loss to Charleston (W.Va.), 73-68 on Saturday. Senior center Maurice Lewis-Briggs led the way with 18 points for The Rock. He also had six rebounds and blocked two shots on the day. Sa'Quan Davis chipped in 12 points and Tabari Perry added 11 points and eight ... Read More
Duquesne Wins High-Scoring Season Opener, 94-75
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 ... Read More
Pitt’s Derrick Randall out to prove a point
Sometimes a player just needs an opportunity. After spending two seasons sitting on the end of the bench at Rutgers, big man Derrick Randall transferred to Pitt in the offseason where it looks like he will get the opportunity he has been searching for. When a team loses five of their top eight players in terms of minutes played, there are going to be opportunities for players such as Randall to impress the coaching staff This year there is no Steven Adams. There's also no Tray Woodall ... Read More
Panthers cruise to opening night victory over Savannah State
The Pitt Panthers basketball team opened the 2013-14 season in typical fashion- with a route of a smaller school. Thanks to an early 15-0 run that gave the Panthers a 19-2 lead just a few minutes into the game, the Panthers cruise to an 88-55 victory at the Petersen Events Center. Pitt got whatever they wanted at the rim early on, sharing the ball, playing typical unselfish Panthers basketball, converted layup after layup en route to building a 40-13 halftime lead. “It starts with Lamar ... Read More
PSAC West Basketball 2013 Preview
The PSAC has been one of the top basketball conferences in the ranks of Division II. This season looks to be no different. Here's a brief look into how the teams stack up this season. Preseason Poll 1. IUP (7) 2. Gannon (1) 3. Slippery Rock (1) 4. California 5. Pitt-Johnstown 6. Mercyhurst 7. Seton Hill 8. Edinboro 9. Clarion Preseason All-PSAC West Team Adam Blazek Gannon Erie/Cathedral Prep Bryan Theriot Edinboro Middleburg Heights, Ohio/Midpark Mathis ... Read More
Micah Mason receives NCAA waiver, allowed to play this year
PITTSBURGH - The Duquesne University men's basketball program announced today that the NCAA has approved a waiver submitted by DU that grants Drake transfer Micah Mason (Natrona Heights, Pa./Highlands/Drake) relief from the mandatory one-year residency requirement, allowing the sophomore guard to play for the Dukes this season. "This is great news for Micah and his family," said Duquesne men's basketball head coach Jim Ferry. "I am very pleased that the NCAA recognized the merit of the ... Read More
Will Jamie Dixon shrink rotation in 2014?
One of the strengths of the 2012-13 Pitt Panthers basketball team was the extraordinary depth that Panthers' head coach Jamie Dixon had at his disposal as Pitt was one of the rare teams in the country that could run 10 competent bodies out on a nightly basis. That's something that will likely change this season. Gone form that deep 2013 team are five players who were among the top eight Panthers in terms of minutes played. Steven Adams is in the NBA. Tray Woodall and Dante Taylor have ... Read More
Duquesne Men’s Basketball Season Preview
Once again this year, the Duquesne basketball program faced a disheartening offseason that saw the departure of five players who all saw action last season. Forward Quevyn Winters, a dead-eye from beyond the arc last year, decided to transfer closer to home, citing family reasons. Winters averaged 9.6 points and 22 minutes per game last season. The other players to leave include centers Martins Abele and Derrick Martin, along with point guard Marvin Binney and sophomore small forward Kadeem ... Read More