Live From Pittsburgh: It's Duquesne vs. Dayton

PITTSBURGH (PA) – Stop #3 on the Dayton Flyers A-10 schedule finds them in Pittsburgh to face the feisty Duquesne Dukes at cozy on-campus UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. The building is named after Dukes’ HOFer Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever selected in the NBA draft, by the Boston Celtics in 1950. Seems like there is some local interest in the game:



It will be intriguing to see what the ratio of UD to DU fans is for this tilt. I have been in the building when it was literally 75/25 in favor of the Red and Chapel Blue. This year, however, might be different, as Duquesne AD Dave Harper (the former VP for Advanced Placement at UD) made tickets available by phone-only and not online, in a veiled attempt to suppress Flyer Faithful attendance.



Here are links to a few previous “From the Swamp” ventures to Da ‘Burgh:

2020: Obi and Company.

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33877

2019: Mrs. Swampy and I were sitting on the beach at Sanibel Island for this one. Doug Hauschild actually emailed me to ask if I needed a press pass for this Dukes roadie, knowing I usually try to make the trip. He didn't have to do that-- but he did.

2017: The ill-fated one and done A-10 Tournament.

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30640

2017: Cruising For 'Burghers

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30278

2016: Just a fan in the stands

http://www.udpride.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28640

Tonight’s contest is a homecoming of sorts for a few Flyers: Nate Santos spent 2 years a few miles east on Fifth Avenue at Pitt; Enoch Cheeks emigrated after two seasons at Robert Morris in suburban Moon Township; UD AD Neil Sullivan hails from nearby Mars, PA.

Brought my copy of “The Epicenter of College Basketball” with me that I got for Christmas from UD grad the Elder Swampette. Jablo was nice enuf to sign it for me. It’s a great read and I recommend it highly. The fact that I am quoted in it has absolutely nothing to do with my endorsement.

Jablo is sporting a bandage on one of his left fingers, which he acquired doing our shared passion of playing pickup hoops. Doug Hauschild is expecting a strong UD turnout, as he heard the Alumni pregame gathering had 200+ attendees.

I’m seated on the baseline next to a guy whose name card says “NBA Scout.” Nice to meet you, Mr. Scout. (He’s from the NYK.) I decided not to show him the “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Obi Toppin” t-shirt I’m wearing under my red sweater. Thankfully, the Duquesne student section is at the other end of the gym.

And we’re off!

Deuce starts it off with a lefty layup. After a questionable call on Elvis, the refs get it right and call a tech on the Dukes for hanging on the rim. Deuce misses a triple but Cheeks feeds him for the hoop and harm. 5-0 UD. Santos and Bennett score to up the ante to 9-2. Deuce follows a Javon miss and makes it 11-2 at the 1st media TO. UD is also leading the battle of the boards 11-3.

That pesky Javon Bennett forces a Dukes TO. He then nails a driving Duke, but it’s on the floor, so no biggie. Deuce for a deuce. The DU crowd voices its displeasure when Cheeks hangs on the rim after a dunk and it’s not called. 17-7 Dayton at the under 12 media TO.

The Flyers come out in a zone and stifle a shot attempt. Kobe sets a manly pick for Deuce and when he rolls, he dunks it. Santos airballs a three but it’s off the home team. Flyers getting careless with the rock allowing the crowd to get into the game. Deuce is getting absolutely body blocked and no calls, except one…for traveling. 19-14 UD at the under 8 media TO.

Koby Brea drills a three to restore order. Nate does likewise. #44 airballs a trey for the Dukes. Nice to see Javon matched up with someone his own size as Kareem Rozier is listed as 5’9”. 25-19 Flyers with 3:45 remaining in the 1st half. Nate misses a three but Deuce snatches the board and gets fouled. Speaking of fouls UD only has 3 so far. Turnover central here of late. “Let’s Go Flyers!” cheer rings out as UD heads to the locker room up 31-21.

Ran into Mike Decourcy from The Sporting News at half time. He’s a native Pittsburgher and this is the first time he’s seen UD in person in ages. He felt Deuce was reluctant to do anything out top when he was handling the ball. I told him he’s fine out there and he’ll make a three in the 2nd half. Flyers go zone again and it works. Cheeks drives to the hoop, gets fouled and will have 2 freebies on the other side of the under 16 media TO. 39-29 Flyers favor. Jack with his patented lefty layup. Dukes continue to cough up the rock.

Santos with a tough drive to the hoop. To say the UD offense is functioning at a suboptimal level is being kind. Flyers 45-37 with less than 11 to go. Coupla steals and the Dukes are down by only 4 and a foul on Deuce gives them the ball. DaRon with a manly block. Flyers playing scared. Deuce buries a three, fulfilling my prophecy to Decourcy. Deuce then with an impressive reverse flush and Dambrot needs a TO, with the Dukes trailing by 9.

Another 24 second violation on UD. A TO by DU gives the ball back to UD and Deuce makes a reverse a layup and hits the FT. Back to a 12-point bulge with under 6 remaining. Deuce buries another trey and Javon draws a charge and he then hits a floater. DaRon with yet another trey and he now has 33 points and the Flyers are up by 14 with less than 4:00 on the clock. Two quick triples by the home team and they are threatening to make the game interesting. A Bennett oop to Cheeks is timely, as is a Koby Brea three. Javon calmly nails a pair of freebies. Dukes are in foul mode but it’s too late, as Enoch drains two as well. It’s Nate’s turn to make his FTs and he does. Bennett fouls out but so what?

Final:

UD 72
DU 62

That’s it “From the Swamp.”
You can email me at: swampy@udpride.com