Duquesne women’s basketball schools Buffalo on Education Day
Duquesne women break the huddle at the start of the second half. Photo by Zachary Weiss
The Duquesne women’s basketball team made sure that school was in session in Wednesday’s 78-55 Education Day victory over Buffalo.
“Our assistant coach Eddie Benton had us completely prepared for everything that they ran,” Dukes coach Dan Burt said. “I am very pleased with the scout. We held them to 55 points. We have to do a much better job at blocking out on rebounds, in some ways, that cost us the game against Green Bay.”
The Dukes were led by Raegan Moore, who scored 25 points – including five 3-point shots. Moore was under the weather during Sunday’s game, but back to full health Wednesday. Moore still is getting used to the responsibility of starting after sitting on the bench for three seasons.
“It’s been a big adjustment for me, which people don’t realize, since I hadn’t played a lot of minutes the past three years,” Moore said. “I think I’m starting to get used to the fact that I do have to contribute this year and my team relies on me in some situations. As the season goes on, it will be easier for me.”
Belma Nurkic came off the bench to score 14 points.
“I just try to get going somehow, even if it’s a defensive stop or getting a shot up on offense,” Nurkic said. “I go in with the mindset that I’m going to hit the shots I get.”
Kristen Sharkey led Buffalo with 16 points.
Duquesne shot 45.3 percent from the field for the game making nine three point shots. The free throw line was also kind to the Dukes as they shot 84.6 percent.
After the opening 20 minutes, Duquesne led 37-23 at the half. The Dukes shot 50 percent from the field. Duquesne scored 17 points off of turnovers. Moore had 11 points at the half.
The Dukes opened the second half scoring two quick baskets, forcing a Buffalo timeout. Buffalo went on a 5-0 run in response, but Duquesne kept a steady lead.
With Duquesne leading 60-44, Moore hit two 3-point shots and Nurkic also made a 3. The two helped combine for a 10-1 run to bring the lead to 24 and put the game out of reach.
Duquesne will travel to Morehead, Ky., on Sunday to face Morehead State. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 2 p.m.
Play of the day: With 3:42 remaining in the first half, April Robinson had one of her five assists on a lay-up to Belma Nurkic. Nurkic cut from the opposite wing to the hoop and outran her defender. Robinson saw this and threw a hard pass. Nurkic caught the ball while in the air and shot the ball from close range for two points.
“It was a chemistry thing,” Nurkic said. “We sometimes do that in practice if it’s there. Orsi usually gets that look, but it was a spur of the moment kind of thing.”
Of note: Duquesne is now 3-0 on Education Day…The Dukes were out-rebounded 43-35 in the contest. Before this game, the Dukes had a 1.3 rebound-per-game advantage over their opponents.