GAME NOTES: Sporting an impressive 6-1 record at home, the Duquesne Dukes begin their trip through the Atlantic 10 Conference tonight as they challenge the Fordham Rams. The Dukes have just three losses (Drake, Pitt, West Virginia) in 13 games this season and two of those came against programs that have been a part of the Top-25 at one point or another this season. More recently, the Dukes tested well against Bowling Green on the road last week, picking up a 96-78 win on January 2nd. The win was the fourth in a row for the program since going down to the Mountaineers on the road. As for the Rams, they've been watching from the sidelines since being blown away by nationally-ranked Georgetown on New Year's Eve, 82-55. The loss was the second in the last three games for Fordham, which has a date with nationally-ranked Xavier this weekend in Cincinnati as well. With respect to the all-time series between these two schools on the hardwood, the Dukes are ahead of Fordham by a count of 13-11, taking seven of the 11 previous meetings in Pittsburgh. However, Duquesne has been on the losing end in each of the last five games, the most recent being an 86-83 setback on the road. The teams will square off against each other again in 10 days at Rose Hill Gym in the Bronx.

Like so many of Georgetown's opponents, the Rams found it difficult to find open shots last week versus the Big East power, converting only 27.3 percent from the field and 6-of-21 behind the three-point line. Marcus Stout was responsible for 27 of the team's 55 points, while Bryant Dunston added 20, which means the rest of the unit came up with a combined eight points on 4- of-31 shooting. Dunston is responsible for 15.0 ppg on 51.6 percent shooting from the field and is also first on the glass with 8.3 rpg, clearing almost twice as many rebounds as anyone else. Stout and Brenton Butler account for 14.9 and 11.5 ppg, respectively, for a team coming up with 67.9 ppg. Part of the problem with the Rams this season has been a lack of consistency, particularly in the starting lineup which has included as many as nine different players. Sebastian Greene (7.8 ppg) is the only one to have started each of the 12 contests thus far.

More than happy to get into a shooting match against any and all challengers, the Dukes scored the first points of the game versus BGSU and never looked back last week. Reggie Jackson hit for a team-best 19 points on a perfect 3-of-3 behind the three-point line,, while Kieron Achara and Aaron Jackson accounted for 12 points apiece as well. The squad not only made 8-of-19 out on the perimeter, they also outscored the Falcons at the charity stripe, 32-22. With a different leading scorer in each of the last four games, all of them victories, Duquesne has the sort of offense this season that players dream about, knowing that they could be the go-to guy on any given night. Similar to Fordham in that there has been a revolving door attached to the starting lineup, the Dukes have faired much better than the Rams as one of the highest scoring teams in the nation with an astounding 88.2 ppg. Kojo Mensah leads that attack with his 14.8 ppg, followed by Shawn James (14.0 ppg) and Achara (12.1 ppg).

Unable to find a set of players that makes sense game in and game out, Fordham is the opposite of the Dukes at the moment. Duquesne seemingly gets the job done by jumbling the lineup to suit its needs and expect the same tonight as the Duke pick up yet another home win.