Duquesne Stuns Rhode Island in 15-Point Upset

In a shocking turn of events, Duquesne pulled off a stunning 15-point upset over Rhode Island, taking down the Rams 76-61 at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. The Dukes, led by Jimmie Williams' impressive 22-point, 9-rebound performance, dominated the contest from start to finish, handing Rhode Island a devastating loss. This outcome is all the more remarkable considering Rhode Island's higher net ranking, making this a significant upset in the college basketball world.

At halftime, Duquesne held a 10-point lead, with the score standing at 37-27. The Dukes' strong first-half performance set the tone for the rest of the game, as they never relinquished their lead. Rhode Island's Tyler Cochran did his best to keep the Rams in contention, scoring 18 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Dukes' balanced attack. Tarence Guinyard and Alex Williams chipped in with 14 and 12 points, respectively, to help Duquesne secure the win.

Notably, CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Duquesne winning by a slim 2.4-point margin, but the actual result far exceeded expectations. The Dukes' 15-point victory margin was a reflection of their determination and cohesion on the court. While the predicted score of 76-74 was eerily close to the actual score, the margin of victory was a surprise to many.

This upset has real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Duquesne, the win is a crucial Quad 3 victory, which will undoubtedly boost their resume. On the other hand, Rhode Island's loss is a Quad 3 defeat, which may hurt their chances of making a deep postseason run. The Rams, now 13-9, must regroup and refocus if they hope to stay in the tournament conversation.

As for Duquesne, this win is a major confidence booster, and Jimmie Williams' standout performance will undoubtedly be a talking point in the days to come. The Dukes, now 12-10, have proven they can compete with higher-ranked opponents, and this upset will surely send a message to the rest of the college basketball world. With this result, Duquesne's tournament chances have received a significant lift, and they want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games. The loss, on the other hand, leaves Rhode Island with a more challenging path to the tournament, and they must bounce back quickly to stay in contention.