PITTSBURGH (AP) – Duquesne’s resurgence has them playing for first place.
Coach Ron Everhart has the Dukes (16-6, 8-1) on a run to remember that finds them playing Xavier on Sunday for top billing in the Atlantic 10.
The Dukes, who fielded their first team in 1913-14, have only five NCAA tournament appearances and none since 1977. Everhart jolted the team to the brink of the tournament in 2009 with 21 wins and a berth in the A-10 title game. He followed that last year with a spot in the CBI.
The Dukes started a school-best 8-0 in the A-10, and won 11 straight games by double-digits before losing 64-62 to St. Bonaventure last Saturday.
That’s led them to a showdown with the Musketeers (17-6, 8-1), a program that has reached the Sweet 16 the last three years. The game will be played at the Consol Energy Center, the home to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins and the second home of the Dukes. Duquesne will play a handful of games at the new facility annually to accommodate larger crowds and attract more interest. It seems to have worked. This game is sold out.
Add A Comment