Led by freshman Eric Williams Jr, the Duquesne Dukes (11-4, 2-0 A-10) ran through the George Washington Colonials (8-7, 1-1 A-10) for their eighth straight home win, 69-52.

If you had told me before the season they would get their 11th win on January 3rd, I’d probably have laughed at you. But the Dukes did just that Wednesday night at the Palumbo Center.

Williams Jr’s paced the offense with 21 points and 12 rebounds and Rene Castro-Caneddy garnered 12 points. Williams Jr’s night included a 5-6 showing from three-point range.

The Colonials were led by senior Yuta Watanabe’s 15 points and eight rebounds.

The game represented another high in what is quickly becoming a fun season, with Duquesne being the surprise team in the Atlantic 10.

The Dukes will travel for the next two games, which will give them a true test. 

They’ll go to the Bronx on Saturday facing off against the Fordham Rams, concluding the road trip when they travel to Richmond opposing VCU on Wednesday. A split in these two games would be huge. Fordham is a more winnable game before going heading into a tough Siegel Center environment.

The Dukes had 13 assists on 28 made field goals tonight. This a number to keep an eye on as coach Keith Dambrot had stressed the need for more assists to win games. He’s also stressed keeping games in the 60s to stay competitive. The Dukes did that and more tonight, limiting GW to 21 made field goals and a 37.5% field goal percentage.

Random thoughts:

1. Man, this team is fun to watch. I haven’t said that since the Ron Everhart era on ‘the Bluff.’ They play hard, stout defense and run an efficient offense.
2. As fans have mostly looked at this year as a rebuilding year, apparently the Dukes weren’t listening. This team is making noise and will continue to do so if they keep playing with this energy.
3. Eric Williams Jr just may be good, huh?
4. See you all at the Palumbo Center on the 13th when the Dukes face La Salle.

Here’s a parting video, Williams Jr slamming home one of his two dunks tonight.

Another slam for @ericwilliams708. pic.twitter.com/JuLU0t586w

— Pitt Sports Castle (@pitsportscastle) January 4, 2018

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