Duquesne edges George Mason in double OT thriller
PITTSBURGH -- Freshman Eric Williams Jr. poured in a career-high 34 points, hitting 9 of 15 from 3-point range, and grabbed 11 rebounds for his third straight double-double and ninth of the season as Duquesne held off George Mason 95-89 in double overtime on Saturday.
Williams struck the telling blow for the Dukes (14-6, 5-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) when he nailed a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left in the second OT after George Mason's Jaire Grayer tied the game at 89 on a trey with 61 seconds to play. Duquesne, which shot just 59 percent from the foul line, hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 19 seconds to preserve the win.
Mike Lewis II scored 20 for the Dukes, while Rene Castro-Caneddy added 14 points and seven rebounds. Tydus Verhoeven had only four points, but the freshman added eight boards, five assists and a career-best nine blocked shots with five of those coming in the final five minutes.
Justin Kier paced the Patriots (9-11, 3-4) with a career-high 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Grayer chipped in with 22 points and a career-best 15 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the campaign. Otis Livingston II scored 12 with six assists and four steals.
Williams hit a 3 with six seconds left in regulation to force overtime tied at 75. And Kier buried a jumper with 1 second left to send it to a second OT tied at 85.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Tim Kelly
- Nathan Farrell
- William Hurnes
2023-24 Atlantic 10 Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Richmond | 15-3 | - | 23-10 |
Loyola Chicago | 15-3 | - | 23-10 |
Massachusetts | 11-7 | 4 | 20-11 |
VCU | 11-7 | 4 | 24-14 |
Duquesne | 10-8 | 5 | 25-12 |
George Mason | 9-9 | 6 | 20-12 |
St. Bonaventure | 9-9 | 6 | 20-13 |
Saint Joseph's | 9-9 | 6 | 21-14 |
La Salle | 6-12 | 9 | 16-17 |
Fordham | 6-12 | 9 | 13-20 |
Rhode Island | 6-12 | 9 | 12-20 |
Davidson | 5-13 | 10 | 15-17 |
Saint Louis | 5-13 | 10 | 13-20 |
George Washington | 4-14 | 11 | 15-17 |