Box Score
Xavier, down by eight at the half and as many at 19 points in the second, came back to tie the game, 91-91, on two free throws by Derrick Brown in the final minute.
With 22 seconds on the clock, junior Reggie Jackson, throwing the in-bounds pass under Duquesne's basket, found sophomore Aaron Jackson for the game-winning layup. Xavier's attempt to tie or win with their last possession was unsuccessful. Though if you ask Xavier head coach Sean Miller, there was an uncalled foul that should have extended the game.
Freshman Robert Mitchell, the A-10 Rookie of the Week, led the Dukes with 26 points. Junior Gary Tucker added 17 and freshman Scott Grote had 13 points. Freshman Scott Grote had a team-best eight rebounds. Reggie Jackson had six assists.
Xavier's Justin Doellman had 23 points, Justin Cage, 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Brandon Cole, added 12 points and 10 rebounds. XU outrebounded the Dukes, 51-32. Drew Lavender had a game-best nine assists.
Duquesne, which won all three games of this homestand, takes to the road for a pair of games starting with Saturday's afternoon action at St. Bonaventure (6-15, 3-5). Tip is set for 2:00 p.m. for A-10-CSTV game.
Then, the Dukes get a rematch at La Salle (9-13, 2-6) on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Tom Gola Arena. The Explorers beat the Dukes, 79-63, on Januuary 10th.
The other two A-10 teams that Duquesne will face twice are Fordham (13-7, 6-2), on Sun Feb. 18, in the now-crowded Rose Hill Gym, and the Bonnies, on Sat. Feb 24 at Palumbo. The Rams won the first meeting with Duquesne, 71-59, on Jan. 14th.
All three teams were in action tonight. Fordham beat St. Bonaventure, 67-61, and Charlotte topped La Salle, 87-80. Both wins were on the team's home court.