The Massachusetts Minutemen (10-3, 1-0 A-10) defeated the Duquesne Dukes (9-4, 0-1 A-10) 80-61 in both teams conference opener on Wednesday night. The Minutemen extend their lead in the all-time series history to 42-30 against the Dukes.
This game started out being a close one, but in the second half, UMass had gained all of the momentum and had a 24-point lead at one point, which put the game away. The game was very physical, and it led to players taking a lot of contact, and there being several no-calls where there possibly should have been a call. Duquesne started on an 8-0 run, with the help of Dae Dae Grant, the Dukes started hot, but the Minutemen found a way to shut down Grant and the Dukes towards the end of the first half.
The Minutemen in the first half were dealing with Josh Cohen getting into foul trouble quickly, and Matt Cross going down not once, but twice in the first half. Cross took two blows to the upper body and was taken back to the locker room both times and seemed to have been cleared to return to play both times. After that first half the Minutemen were able to keep the Dukes from shooting the ball well. UMass also went on a 19-2 run over almost an 8-minute window midway through the second half.
UMass had five different players in double-digit scoring on Wednesday night. Rahsool Diggins led the Minutemen with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block. Jaylen Curry earned himself a new career-high of 15 points, with 1 assist and 2 steals. Cross had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Keon Thompson and Daniel Hankins-Sanford both had 10 points apiece to round out all scorers in double digits for the Minutemen. Thompson also had 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 block on top of his 10 points. Hankins-Sanford also had 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block to go with his 10 points. Jayden Ndjigue had 7 points, Marqui Worthy had 3 points, and Cohen and Mahok Majok both had 2 points to round out the scoring efforts for UMass.
Duquesne only had two players in double-digits. Grant led the way for the Dukes with 18 points, and Jimmy “Tre” Clark III had 16 points to round out the Dukes in double-digit scoring. Halil Barre had 8 points, Kareem Rozier had 5 points, Fousseyni Drame and Kailon Nicholls had 3 points, and Hassan Drame, Dusan Mahorcic, Andrei Savrasov, and Matus Hronsky each had 2 points to round out all scorers for the Dukes.
Next up for Duquesne, they will travel to Gentile Arena to face off against the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-5, 1-0 A-10) on Saturday, January 6th at 4pm on CBSSN. This will be the 19th time these two teams face off against each other, and the Dukes have a 12-6 lead in the all-time series matchup against the Ramblers.
Next up for UMass, they will hit the road for the first time in conference play to travel to UD Arena to face off against the Dayton Flyers (11-2, 1-0 A-10) on Sunday, January 7th at 1pm on ESPN2. This will be the 34th meeting between these two teams, and the Flyers have a 19-14 edge in the all-time series history over the Minutemen.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Scoreboard Wednesday, January 3rd:
- The George Mason Patriots (12-2, 1-0) defeated the La Salle Explorers (9-5, 0-1) 77-62.
- The Massachusetts Minutemen (10-3, 1-0) defeated the Duquesne Dukes (9-4, 0-1) 80-61.
- The Dayton Flyers (11-2, 1-0) defeated the Davidson Wildcats (10-4, 0-1) 72-59.
- The Rhode Island Rams (7-7, 1-0) defeated the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (10-4, 0-1) 78-74.
- The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-5, 1-0) defeated the Saint Louis Billikens (7-7, 0-1) 80-73.
- The Fordham Rams (7-7, 1-0) defeated the George Washington Revolutionaries (11-3, 0-1) 119-113 in triple overtime.
- The Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (10-3, 1-0) defeated the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (8-6, 0-1) 89-78.
Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Upcoming Schedule:
- Saturday, January 6th
- La Salle Explorers (9-5, 0-1) at Fordham Rams (7-7, 1-0) at 12pm on USA Network.
- Saint Louis Billikens (7-7, 0-1) at George Mason Patriots (12-2, 1-0) at 2pm on USA Network.
- George Washington Revolutionaries (11-3, 0-1) at Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (8-6, 0-1) at 4pm on USA Network.
- Duquesne Dukes (9-4, 0-1) at Loyola Chicago Ramblers (9-5, 1-0) at 4pm on CBSSN.
- Saint Bonaventure Bonnies (10-3, 1-0) at Richmond Spiders (8-5, 0-0) at 4pm on ESPN+.
- Sunday, January 7th
- Massachusetts Minutemen (10-3, 1-0 at Dayton Flyers (11-2, 1-0) at 1pm on ESPN2.
Featured Image: Chris Tucci, UMass Athletics
Kaily “KG” Godek is a current student at Western New England University (WNE). She has been a supporter of UMass Athletics for over 15 years. Kaily focuses on both UMass Basketball teams and occasionally on the other Women’s Basketball teams in the conference. While writing for A10 Talk, she works in the athletic department at WNE. When she graduates from WNE she wants to go into Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. You can follow Kaily on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kgumass23.
