Duquesne's Tarence Guinyard stole the show at Gentile Arena, pouring in 23 points to propel the Dukes to a 71-59 victory over Loyola University Chicago. The win marked a strong road performance for Duquesne, who led by as many as 17 points in the second half. Xavier Amos was the lone bright spot for Loyola Chicago, scoring 12 points in the losing effort.
The Dukes set the tone early, taking a 34-28 lead into halftime. Jimmie Williams chipped in with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Jakub Necas added 9 points and 5 rebounds to support Guinyard's dominant performance. Duquesne's balanced attack proved too much for Loyola Chicago to handle, as the Ramblers struggled to find consistency on offense.
Loyola Chicago's Nic Anderson and Deywilk Tavarez joined Amos in double figures, scoring 9 points each, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Dukes' strong team effort. The Ramblers trailed by as many as 17 points in the second half, but managed to trim the deficit to 12 by the final buzzer.
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Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Duquesne winning by 8.9 points, and the Dukes exceeded that margin with their 12-point victory. The prediction was spot on, as Duquesne's performance closely mirrored expectations. The win marked a strong showing for the Dukes, who improved to 11-9 on the season.
The victory has real consequences for Duquesne's tournament resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 win. While not the most impressive victory, it's a win that Duquesne needed to stay on track in their pursuit of a postseason berth. On the other hand, the loss was a Quadrant 3 defeat for Loyola Chicago, who fell to 5-16 on the season. The Ramblers' struggles continue, and they'll need to regroup quickly to salvage their season.
Guinyard's performance was the difference-maker here, as he consistently found ways to score and create for his teammates. His 23 points marked a game-high, and his effort helped Duquesne pull away in the second half. With the win, Duquesne takes a crucial step forward in their tournament hopes, while Loyola Chicago is left to pick up the pieces and regroup for their next outing. The Dukes' strong road win will undoubtedly boost their confidence, and they'll look to build on this momentum as they continue their season.