Duquesne (6-2) scored the first point of the game when Micah Mason hit a one-point technical foul shot, but the Panthers shut the Dukes out for the next four minutes while they enjoyed a 6-2 run.
Pitt’s head coach Jamie Dixon incurred the technical for being tardy in getting his starting lineup to the officials.
It was clear from the opening moments that the Panthers (7-1) were dominating the Dukes on both the boards and the net. After the Dukes added its second point with a free throw by Darius Lewis, the Panthers posted a 12-2 run.
The Panthers continued to maintain a double-digit lead through the rest of the first half, as the Dukes struggled to make three-pointers, a hallmark of its offense, or grab its share of rebounds
Going into halftime the Panthers had posted a 27 point lead, 57-30, but just seconds before had enjoyed a 30 point lead with 48 seconds left.
The Panthers continued their first half momentum into the second half, and the Dukes would not come closer than 18 points in catching up to the Panthers for the rest of the game.
Panther’s head coach Jamie Dixon started off his postgame remarks praising the effort put forth by Duquesne saying, “They’re very good. I think they are going to win a lot of games.”
“The first half set the tone, I think they shot 33 [percent] he said, obviously pleased with the Pitts first half performance.
Dixon said the team practiced Thursday at the Consol Center, “something we don’t normally do, but it worked out well and i thought it was the right thing to do.”
Actually it was the Dukes who produced the game’s high scorer, Eric James posted 21 total points, a career-high for the sophomore, with two rebounds and four assists. James also posted a career-high with his four assists and an equal number of steals.
Posting a double-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists Michael Young led the Panther’s scoring efforts.
Overall Pitt made 55 percent of its field goals, 53 percent of its three-pointers and were 86 percent from the foul line.
The Dukes, who had a much improved offense the second half hit 43 percent of its field goals, 35 percent of its three-pointers and were 52 percent from the foul line.
Saying “They played a great game but this game won’t define our season by any means,” Duquesne head coach Jim Ferry was disappointed to say the least. “This was our worst defensive game of the season,” he added.
Normally so far this season the Dukes have at least three players who approach or attain double digits in rebounds. However, with six rebounds, L.G. Gill led the Duke’s efforts on the boards.
Duquesne resumes non-conference play when it hosts the University of Maryland Tuesday night.
