Duquesne MBB Bounces Back Behind Williams's Career High
The Duquesne Men’s Basketball Team hit the century mark, achieving the feat for the first time since Jan. 13, 2018 besting Central State 101-80 Wednesday night at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
Duquesne (5-2) was paced by Jimmie Williams who achieved a career high 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Williams was one of five Duquesne players that compiled double digits with Cam Crawford (17), Maximus Edwards (14), Tarence Guinyard (13) and John Hugley IV (11) also joining him.
As a team, the Dukes compiled 23 assists, a season high, while shooting 64.4% from the field, a high mark in the Dru Joyce III era, this included an even 70% effort in the second half.
Duquesne’s defense found some stops and build on that, but Central State was still able to shoot 46.3%.
Perhaps the biggest news for the Dukes came a few minutes into the game when redshirt sophomore guard Jake DiMichele saw his first action in exactly a year. DiMichele recorded a basket in the second half and made an immediate impact in the contest when he altered a three-point shot.
Central State (3-3) saw Keionte Cornelius achieve a game-high 22 points, while the double-digit point quartet also consisted of Ramar Pryor (17), Javantae Randle (12) and JaMonte Williams (11).
Duquesne’s defense, which conceded 93 points against Northeastern got off to a start which left Joyce unhappy as he spent a timeout in a 14-14 contest to bring five different players onto the court. It was an intentional effort made to try and energize the defensive end of the ball.
The Marauders would lead for nearly three minutes of the game, all of which came scattered in the first half.
Duquesne was able to generate some energy holding Central State scoreless for the final 3:17 of the first half. This provided the Dukes with a 44-36 lead at halftime.
That was when Joyce utilized the halftime break to show his team how it was falling short defensively and the effort intensified in the second half.
Defense would turn into offense using a 23-7 run dating back to the first half. Williams was a huge piece on both ends getting and-one opportunities and then finding Guinyard in transition for a three-point basket which activated a Marauders timeout.
Duquesne will next host William & Mary Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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