University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
11-14,6-8
Duquesne
14-11,7-7
Duquesne Takes Victory Over UMass Women, 64-53
February 18, 2001 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2001
PITTSBURGH, PA - Duquesne (14-11, 7-7) placed three players in double figures and defeated the University of Massachusetts (11-14, 6-8), 64-53, in an Atlantic 10 match-up Sunday afternoon at the Palumbo Center. A season-best 1,543 fans were on hand to see Duke head coach Dan Durkin claim is 100th career victory.
Duquesne's Beth Friday led all scorers with 18 points, which included a 10-13 effort from the free throw line. She grabbed a team-best 10 rebounds for her 11th double-double of the season. Shiri Sharon added 16 points, which included the Dukes' final 11 points of the second half. Khalihah Este-Shehu chipped in 11 markers in the win.
Kathy Coyner (Belpre, Ohio) led the Minutewomen with 17 points while Jennifer Butler (Brooklyn, N.Y.) netted 14 points and a game-best 13 rebounds.
Duquesne grabbed an 11-2 lead at the 13:42 mark keeping UMass scoreless for 4:31 and extended its lead to a 22-9 advantage on an 11-4 run with 9:42 ticking. The Minutewomen cut the lead to 25-22 on a 13-3 run in the final three minutes of action. The Dukes would connect on three of four free throws for a 28-22 half-time advantage.
Duquesne regained momentum in the second frame taking a 42-27 lead on a 14-5 scoring drive as 10:54 remained. The Dukes would extend that spree to out-score UMass 19-8 for a 47-32 edge with just under nine minutes to go. The Minutewomen chipped away at the Dukes' advantage on an 11-4 drive for a 49-42 reach, but would not get closer to a lead. Duquesne went up by as many as 12 points (56-44) in the final two minutes.
Duquesne shot .806 (29-36) from the free throw line to UMass' .585 (24-41), and was 16-44 (.364) from the field. The Dukes forced 25 Minutewomen turnovers, but were out-rebounded 43-34 for the game.
UMass returns to action on Friday, Feb. 23, as they travel to Philadelphia to take on conference rival Temple. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
