Duquesne's impressive road performance led to a convincing 74-63 victory over Fordham at Rose Hill Gym. The Dukes' strong second half, where they outscored the Rams 44-36, was the deciding factor in the game. Jimmie Williams was the star of the show, scoring 19 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to lead Duquesne to their 11th win of the season.
The game was closely contested in the first half, with Duquesne taking a slim 30-27 lead into the break. Dejour Reaves kept Fordham in the game, scoring 10 of his 17 points in the first half. However, the Dukes' offense caught fire in the second half, with Williams and Cam Crawford combining for 25 points. Crawford finished with 16 points, while Tarence Guinyard chipped in with 11 points and 9 assists.
Fordham's Akira Jacobs and Christian Henry provided some spark off the bench, scoring 13 and 10 points respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Dukes' balanced attack. The Rams' inability to contain Duquesne's offense in the second half ultimately led to their downfall.
The win is a significant one for Duquesne, as it improves their record to 11-9 and gives them a much-needed boost on the road. With a net ranking of 148, the Dukes are still on the bubble for tournament consideration, but this win will certainly help their case. The victory over Fordham, who has a net ranking of 227, is considered a Quadrant 3 win for both teams.
As the season heats up, Duquesne want to build on this momentum and make a push for a tournament spot. With their strong performance on the road, the Dukes have shown they have the ability to compete with anyone. For Fordham, the loss drops them to 10-10, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late-season surge.
The resume implications of this result are clear: Duquesne has added a solid Quadrant 3 win to their portfolio, while Fordham has suffered a Quadrant 3 loss. As the tournament selection committee evaluates teams, this win will be a key factor in Duquesne's consideration. With several tough games still on the schedule, the Dukes must continue to perform at a high level if they hope to secure a tournament bid. For now, they can celebrate a hard-fought road win and look to build on the momentum it provides.