The Duquesne women’s basketball team is set for a high-stakes Atlantic 10 clash as it welcomes the surging Saint Louis Billikens to UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, with tipoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Pittsburgh. This matchup marks the 24th meeting between the two programs, with Duquesne holding a commanding 16-7 edge in the all-time series and having triumphed in five of the last six encounters. The stakes are high as both squads aim to build early momentum in conference play and set the tone for 2026.
Duquesne (7-5, 0-1 A-10) enters the contest riding a wave of confidence, fueled by a show-stopping performance from freshman sensation Alexis Bordas. In their most recent outing on December 21, the Dukes toppled crosstown rival Pittsburgh 84-69 in the annual City Game, snapping a three-game skid in emphatic fashion. Bordas was simply electric, pouring in a career-high 38 points on an efficient 11-of-22 shooting, including a blistering 10-of-18 from beyond the arc. She was perfect from the charity stripe, knocking down all six free throws, and added five rebounds, five assists, and two steals to her stat line. Her scoring outburst tied for the sixth-most in program history and matched the highest total in the Dan Burt era, while her 10 made threes are the second-most ever by a Duke.
“Alexis just took over in the second half,” said Duquesne head coach Dan Burt after the win. “She’s got that special ability to find her rhythm and carry this team. We needed every bit of her performance to get past Pitt.” Bordas’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as she was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for the third time this season on Monday, December 29. Over her last 10 games, the freshman guard is averaging an impressive 16.5 points, providing a consistent scoring punch for the Dukes.
But Duquesne’s recent success isn’t just about one player. The Dukes have showcased a balanced attack all season, with multiple players stepping up when it counts. Against Pitt, sophomore Mackenzie Blackford chipped in 14 points, draining four triples of her own, along with three rebounds and two assists. Junior guard Reina Green continued her strong run, posting 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a block. Over her last four games leading up to the Saint Louis matchup, Green is averaging 9.5 points, just under four rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while shooting a robust 48.1 percent from the field. Her steady presence has been a key factor in the Dukes’ ability to weather adversity and maintain offensive flow.
Duquesne’s rebounding prowess has also set them apart. The Dukes lead the Atlantic 10 with an eye-popping 15.3 offensive rebounds per game, spearheaded by forward Harriet Ford, who averages 4.7 boards on the offensive glass and 8.5 overall. This relentless effort on the boards has translated into second-chance points and extra possessions, a crucial edge in tight contests. The Dukes are 5-0 at home this season, turning the Cooper Fieldhouse into a fortress where opponents struggle to keep pace.
Defensively, Duquesne continues to pride itself on making life difficult for opposing offenses. In the win over Pitt, the Dukes held the Panthers to just 36.2 percent shooting and forced 16 turnovers, converting those miscues into 21 points. Their stifling defense was especially apparent during a decisive 21-4 run in the first half, limiting Pitt to just 1-of-8 shooting while forcing five turnovers in a seven-minute span. This defensive intensity has become a hallmark of Burt’s teams, and it will be put to the test against a potent Saint Louis squad.
The Billikens (7-7, 1-0 A-10) roll into Pittsburgh on a hot streak, having won five of their last six games, including a dominant 132-53 victory over St. Louis Pharmacy on December 28. In that win, five players scored in double figures, with Alyssa Koerkenmeier leading the way with 25 points. Saint Louis features a balanced scoring attack, with four players averaging at least 11.0 points per game. Alexia Nelson paces the team at 14.9 points per contest, adding 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. Zya Nugent chips in just under 14 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds, while Jahda Denis and Zhykera Brown round out a deep offensive arsenal. Brown, in particular, has been a threat from long range, averaging 1.7 made three-pointers over her last 10 games.
Defensively, the Billikens are anchored by Koerkenmeier, one of the nation’s premier shot blockers. She leads the Atlantic 10 and ranks 19th nationally with 27 total blocks, averaging 2.1 per game. Saint Louis is also among the league’s top rebounding teams, ranking third with over 40 boards per contest and sixth in offensive rebounds at 12.4 per game. Their ability to protect the rim and control the glass will be a key storyline to watch as they face off against Duquesne’s relentless rebounding attack.
Statistically, the numbers suggest a tight battle. Duquesne averages 72.5 points per game, 2.6 more than the 69.9 points Saint Louis allows. The Dukes are averaging 67.3 points, 39.3 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 7.9 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game over their last 10 contests, while the Billikens have been even hotter, averaging 80.0 points, 35.8 rebounds, 14.4 assists, 8.9 steals, and 5.7 blocks per game in their last 10. Both teams feature strong perimeter play: Duquesne has made at least one three-pointer in 439 consecutive games—a streak stretching back 14 years—while Saint Louis averages 6.3 made threes per game.
Turnovers could prove decisive. Saint Louis averages 16.8 turnovers per contest but is 4-2 when winning the turnover battle. Duquesne, meanwhile, has excelled at forcing mistakes and capitalizing on them, as evidenced by their recent performance against Pitt. The battle for extra possessions, whether through turnovers or offensive rebounds, may tip the scales in what promises to be a fiercely contested affair.
Last season, Duquesne claimed an 84-72 victory over Saint Louis at home, powered by sharp shooting and a dominant first half. The Dukes shot 58.8 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range, building an insurmountable lead before halftime. If history is any indication, fans can expect another high-octane, competitive showdown.
With both teams boasting dynamic scorers, physical rebounding, and defensive grit, Wednesday’s matchup is shaping up to be one of the Atlantic 10’s early-season highlights. Will Alexis Bordas continue her rookie heroics? Can the Billikens’ balanced attack and shot-blocking prowess slow down Duquesne’s home-court momentum? One thing’s for sure—the action is just getting started, and the outcome is very much up for grabs as these conference rivals square off in Pittsburgh.
