Duquesne 72 - Washington State 71 (11/10/2023): Late Surge Seals Narrow Victory

In a nail-biting finish, the Duquesne Dukes managed to edge out the Washington State Cougars with a final score of 72-71. This tight game saw the Dukes continue their winning streak, maintaining an unbeaten record at 3-0. Meanwhile, the Cougars dropped to 0-3 for the season, still seeking their first win.

Duquesne's Offensive Edge

The Duquesne Dukes showed why they are a tough team to beat, with an impressive offensive display. Their field goal percentage stood at 47.7, ranking them 144th in the nation. This efficiency helped them push past the Cougars in this tight contest.

Despite their struggles beyond the arc, hitting only 26.3% of their three-point attempts, the Dukes found success elsewhere. They made up for it by driving to the basket and shooting a solid 59.2% on two-point attempts. Their ability to convert inside the paint proved crucial.

Free throws also played a part in the Dukes' victory. They attempted 23 free throws and made 16 of them, a solid contribution to their final score. While not the best in free throw percentage, they capitalized on their opportunities from the line.

Cougars Fight Till the End

The Washington State Cougars came close to securing their first win but fell just short. Their offensive numbers did not support them, as they only shot 39.7% from the field. Even though they attempted more shots, their lower field goal percentage hindered their scoring efforts.

Beyond the three-point line, the Cougars had a better showing, making 34% of their shots from deep. This provided some much-needed points, but it wasn't enough to close the gap. Their shooting from beyond the arc ranked 192nd, showing some promise for future games.

Free throws were a bright spot for the Cougars, hitting 76% of their attempts. This efficiency ranked them 97th in the nation, showing their ability to convert from the charity stripe. Their performance from the line kept them competitive throughout the game.

Defense and Rebounding

Defensively, the Cougars had a slight edge with blocks, averaging 1.5 per game, which ranks 69th. Despite this, they struggled to contain Duquesne's inside game. This proved to be a critical factor in the Dukes' narrow win.

Rebounding was an area of concern for the Cougars, pulling down only 32.5 boards per game. This ranked them 356th and showed their struggles to control the glass. The Dukes out-rebounded them with 38 per game, showing their dominance in securing possessions.

Both teams showed a solid effort in forcing turnovers, with the Cougars forcing 12.5 per game. On the other hand, the Dukes forced 13.5 turnovers, disrupting Washington State's rhythm. These turnovers were crucial for both teams in creating scoring opportunities.

Fouls were also a significant factor, with the Cougars committing 19.5 per game. This ranked them 321st and gave the Dukes plenty of chances to score from the line. In contrast, the Dukes showed discipline, committing only 13.5 fouls per game, ranking 52nd.

Overall, the game was a closely contested battle with Duquesne emerging on top. Both teams put up a fight, but the Dukes' offensive efficiency and rebounding edge made the difference. Washington State will look to learn from this game as they continue their quest for a win.