Kick Off the 2025-26 Season: Niagara Falls Battles Duquesne University in Thrilling Opener!

Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University men’s basketball team kicked off its 2025-26 season with a solid 83-63 win over Niagara at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. This victory marked a significant milestone, bringing the program’s total wins to 1,500.

From the start, Duquesne set the tone. Center John Hugley IV quickly pushed the ball towards the basket, allowing senior guard Tarence Guinyard to score just two seconds into the game. The Dukes rushed to an early 9-0 lead. Their defense was equally impressive, keeping Niagara scoreless for the first 10 minutes until Justin Hawkins hit a layup, breaking a streak of 13 missed shots for the Purple Eagles.

Leading 41-20 at halftime, Duquesne’s offense was effective, shooting over 56% from the field and making 42% of their three-point attempts. Head coach Dru Joyce III emphasized the importance of improvement. “We want to accomplish things every game. We did a good job on defense, and that jump-started our offense,” he said.

The depth of the team was evident as ten different players contributed at least nine minutes. Redshirt senior guard Brandon Hall made a notable return after injury, scoring six points. Freshman Lazar Milošević also shone, adding seven points in just six minutes on the court.

Building team chemistry is crucial. Joyce noted, “It’s a daily process. Trusting teammates and working together isn’t easy, but it’s necessary.”

Duquesne has a strong history of success in season openers, improving to 91-19 overall and an impressive 86-5 at home. Guinyard and Jimmie Williams each had standout performances, scoring 19 and 15 points, respectively. The Dukes also out-rebounded their opponents and had a balanced distribution of assists.

Looking ahead, Duquesne’s next game will be against Sacred Heart on November 7, part of the Villanova Challenge.

In today’s sports world, teamwork is vital, especially in basketball. As teams strive for success, the focus is not just on individual talent but on how well players connect and support each other, both on and off the court.

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