Duquesne suffered its third loss in a row Saturday afternoon when they visited VCU in Richmond. The Dukes (8-8, 1-3) hung with the Rams for most of the game, but fell farther behind with under eight minutes to play.
Even though Duquesne led 31-27 at the half, the Rams were able to pick up their 14th straight home win.
VCU led by just five with around eight minutes to play, but pulled away when JeQuan Lewis knocked down two straight 3-pointer to kick off a 22-8 run that blew the visitors out of the water. VCU’s Briante Weber, who had 12 points in the contest (tied for a team-high with Melvin Johnson), also hit two consecutive 3-pointers during the run.
Ferry was disappointed with his team’s 11 second-half turnovers. “You can’t do that here and beat these guys. We just can’t turn the ball over like that and beat this team,” he told the media after the loss.
Duquesne finished with 17 turnovers and was outrebounded 48-37. Their 3-point shooting was also miserable, closing with 3-of-18 (.351), compared to VCU’s 8-of-15 in the second half.
Derrick Colter was the game’s leading scorer, with 13 points. Freshman L.G. Gill tied his career highs in points and rebounds, with seven and four apiece.
Ovie Soko was held to just seven points, snapping a nine straight games of double digit scoring for the senior transfer from UAB.
The toughest challenge of the season comes next for Duquesne, as they face the #24 ranked Saint Louis Billikens at home this Wednesday.
Photo Credit: Duquesne Athletics
