The Duquesne University men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Fordham, losing 65-63 on Sunday afternoon at Rose Hill Gym. This marks the second consecutive loss for the Dukes, who now sit at 9-11 overall and 4-3 within the Atlantic 10 Conference.
The game was marked by its competitiveness, featuring 12 ties and 15 lead changes. Duquesne had moments of control, including holding a slender 30-29 lead at halftime, thanks to junior forward David Dixon, who made a jumper with just 3.2 seconds left in the first period. Yet, it was Fordham's Josh Rivera who made the pivotal play, sinking a three-pointer with 23.9 seconds remaining to seal the Rams' victory and breaking Duquesne's hopes of securing overtime.
Duquesne Coach Dru Joyce III expressed frustration following the game, citing the need for improved execution during key moments. "Our energy and effort were there. I thought we had some lapses you can’t have on the road," Joyce remarked, highlighting the importance of consistency and focus as the season progresses.
Cam Crawford led Duquesne's scoring efforts with 13 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field, and he also contributed five rebounds. Tre Dinkins III and Kareem Rozier supported him with 11 points each. Crawford's performance included putting the Dukes up 63-62 with a tip-in with 1:35 left, but they were unable to maintain their narrow lead.
Fordham's Rivera not only led all scorers with 16 points but also played a significant role on the defensive end, limiting Duquesne’s opportunities late. The Dukes had two chances to tie the game but failed to capitalize. Dinkins missed a jump shot, and Crawford's putback attempt went awry, allowing Fordham to secure the win.
The Dukes struggled significantly on the boards, being outrebounded 41-27, which Joyce pointed out as another area needing improvement. Sophomore Jakub Necas led Duquesne with seven rebounds, indicating the team's challenges with securing defensive possessions.
The first half was filled with back-and-forth scoring, as both teams showcased their proficiency on offense. Duquesne opened strong with an 11-4 run to take the early lead, only for Fordham to respond quickly and establish its rhythm. The teams exchanged leads consistently, demonstrating their competitiveness throughout the match.
Duquesne's upcoming schedule places them on the road to Philadelphia to face Saint Joseph's on January 29, where they hope to bounce back and reclaim momentum. The last encounter with Saint Joseph’s ended favorably for the Dukes, with Duquesne pulling off an 85-81 win earlier this season, showcasing their potential when capitalizing on offensive opportunities.
With improvements necessary on rebounding and late-game execution, the Dukes will need to polish their strategy heading forward. Coach Joyce emphasized the importance of addressing these issues, stating, "It’s a make-or-miss league, and at the end of the day, we had our chances." The focus for Duquesne will be to build consistency, taking these lessons to heart as they approach their next game.