Duquesne men’s basketball may have started the season 0-6, but it was determined to leave 2024 on a good note. With a win against Cleary on Friday, the Dukes have now won their last three straight and are 5-8 overall.
A loss would’ve truly meant trouble for Dru Joyce III’s team. The Cougars are only in their second year as a men’s basketball program at the NAIA level and have started off the 2024-25 campaign 1-6. Duquesne never once rested on its heels, however, despite being a heavy favorite to win the game.
The Dukes’ defense was smothering, while the offense was free flowing on the way to a 93-45 win against the Cougars at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
Chabi Barre went out with an injury just 58 seconds into the game, but his teammates didn’t blink and jumped out to a 6-0 lead before Cleary could score. Duquesne’s offense was really clicking. It allowed the Dukes to jump out to a 20-point lead after Matus Hronsky hit a 3-pointer with just more than nine minutes to go. They had nine players score in the first half with Cam Crawford’s 10 points leading.
Joyce was so confident, walk-on Lucas Prolla entered the game. It helped that Duquesne’s defense was stifling — causing at least four shot clock violations and forcing the Cougars into tough situations. Cleary only scored back-to-back points once in the half and it was with less than four minutes to go. The Dukes held the Cougars to 26.9% shooting en route to their 49-22 first-half lead.
“I feel like that's always the key with this team,” Crawford said. “Just to play hard on defense and to set the tone and be physical. It was important for us to do it this game, but it's important for us to do it every game. This game was good preparation for what we're about to see coming to the conference. It was a focal point that we just set the tone.”
It didn’t take long for Duquesne to take a 30-point lead against Cleary (Mich.). Jakub Necas’ dunk less than five minutes into the half put the Dukes up 59-29 and they never took their foot off the gas. The Cougars had a chance to cut Duquesne’s lead below 30, but back-to-back turnovers from Nick Moore and Bennie Crenshaw gave the Dukes some extra padding.
Late in the game, Kareem Rozier stole the ball and rushed down the court. He passed the ball to Prolla for the walk-on’s first ever collegiate points. Not that Duquesne needed the cushion, but it helped as it cruised its way to a 48-point win.
Eli Wilborn made the most of his extra opportunities when Barre exited the game prematurely. He scored within minutes of entering the game and never let up. He finished with 14 points, with at least three dunks, six rebounds and 6-for-6 shooting.
“He took advantage of his opportunity through the night,” Rozier said. “He made the most of it, no matter who we were playing. You dominate who is on the other side, and he did that. I'm proud of him, and I'm just happy that he took advantage of that opportunity he received tonight.”
He wasn’t the only one flashing his offensive prowess. Four other players scored in double-digits — Necas (15), Crawford (12), Rozier (10) and Jahsean Corbett (10). Duquesne finished the game shooting 61.3 % and holding Cleary to 30.4%.
“We've taken a great, huge step in that aspect, just playing for each other,” Rozier said. “That’s the main reason why we've been winning so much. The way we've been winning looks way better because we've just been playing for each other.”
Key stat
Duquesne forced 22 turnovers, with Rozier’s six steals leading the pack. It gave the Dukes some extra opportunities that they took advantage of, scoring 37 points off turnovers.
“We have to continue to be disruptive,” Joyce said. “We never want teams to feel comfortable like they run their sets in their place like they do in practice. Our agenda is to be disruptive, to throw your timing off, to see if we can get deflections. We're going to continue with that, with that strategy to apply pressure, especially on the ball in certain areas.”
Quotable
The Dukes have finished nonconference play and are headed into conference play. Joyce’s feelings were simple.
“We’re headed into the Atlantic 10 gauntlet,” Joyce said.
Up next
The Dukes kick off Atlantic 10 play against Rhode Island to ring in the New Year. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. Dec. 31.
First Published: December 28, 2024, 1:51 a.m.
Updated: December 28, 2024, 3:24 a.m.
