Pittsburgh Tribune-Review 3/13/09: Duquesne tops Rhode Island in A-10 quarters
Duquesne roughs up Rhode Island
By Aaron Bracy
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, March 13, 2009
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Seventh-seeded Duquesne emerged from a memorable slugfest against second-seeded Rhode Island with a thrilling, 78-74 upset victory in the Atlantic 10 Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night at Boardwalk Hall.
The Dukes (20-11) advance to the A-10 semifinals for the first time since 1994. They will play third-seeded Dayton — a 69-64 winner over sixth-seeded Richmond last night — at 9 tonight in the A-10 semifinals. Top-seeded Xavier and fourth-seeded Temple will play in the first semifinal at 6:30 p.m.
“It was like two heavyweight fighters going at each other, and we caught them at the end,” Duquesne coach Ron Everhart said. “They’ve shown a lot of people what our program is about, and I’m very proud of those kids.”
The game was tight and tense right from the opening tap. It featured 13 ties and seven lead changes and lots of scraps, scrums and scrapes. Neither team led by more than seven points.
“Both teams realized it’s either win or go home,” Duquesne senior point guard Aaron Jackson said. “Both put that mentality on the floor, clawing and scratching for every loose ball and rebound.”
Jackson, who had 17 points, added four assists to give him 179 this season, passing Norm Nixon’s single-season mark of 178 set in 1977.
“Coach told us in our first meeting that we’re going to be the hardest-working group of guys in the A-10,” Jackson said. “And this proves it, getting to the semis.”
Bill Clark did the bulk of the work on the boards for the Dukes, finishing one shy of his career high with 13 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass.
“It was a battle the whole game,” said Clark, who had 19 points. “I’m just glad we came through it.”
Clark‘s 3-pointer from the left wing broke the final tie and gave the Dukes a 72-69 lead with 3:30 left.
Duquesne’s advantage was five, 76-71, when freshman Eric Evans went to the line with 50.6 seconds remaining. Evans missed both free throws, giving the Rams life.
Jimmy Baron, who finished with 26 points to pace the Rams (22-10), took advantage by tying his career high and the A-10 tourney record with his eighth 3-pointer to pull his team to within 76-74 with 30.7 seconds left.
But Dukes guard Jason Duty essentially clinched the victory by hitting a pair of foul shots with 25.1 seconds remaining.
Damian Saunders led the Dukes with 20 points, while contributing five rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
“For our guys to show poise and composure against a very good ballclub is remarkable,” said Everhart, who took two Tums before the game and another at halftime. “We showed a lot of toughness and resiliency and kept fighting, and I’m very excited these young men came out with a win.”
The win gave Duquesne its most victories since the 1980-81 team went 20-10. The Dukes also earned consecutive victories in the A-10 Tournament for the first time since 1985.
Duquesne will be vying tonight for only its third berth in the A-10 final and its first since 1981.
