Ben Deihl | sports editor

As Duquesne starts its A10 schedule, something has become very clear from the team’s play style — this group is different from years past, but still reminiscent of one of the best teams Duquesne has fielded in recent memory.

The Dukes opened up conference play with a 2OT thriller over Davidson on Dec. 30, beating the Wildcats 89-83. Duquesne’s victory was their first over Davidson since 2020, boosting Duquesne to a 1-0 record in the A10.

“Me and Dave [Dixon], we’ve never beat Davidson,” Jake DiMichele said before their matchup. “That’s all the motivation we need to win.”

Tarence Guinyard continued to be Duquesne’s most reliable shooter, tallying 24 points, hitting 5 of 12 3’s and added a game-high six assists. Alex Williams and Maximus Edwards provided much-needed support with a combined 26 points of Duquesne’s 31 off the bench.

Elite shooting from 3-point range proved to be the difference in the game, as Duquesne shot 45.7% from 3 compared to Davidson’s 29.7%. The Dukes’ defense provided a much-needed spark down the stretch, denying the Wildcats a triple for the entire first overtime and only allowing four 3’s from the second half onward after letting Davidson sink seven in the first half.

Although the Dukes would fall to Virginia Commonwealth University in their A10 home opener 93-80 on Saturday, Duquesne has much to build on following a tough game against a conference leader. Head Coach Dru Joyce III kept it honest with his team, making sure they’re held accountable.

“I tell the truth,” Joyce said. “You’ve got to understand the temperament of your team. Do they want it? Do they want to give me their very best?”

Duquesne struggled to find their footing early in the season, especially from 3-point land. Against Queens, the Dukes shot an abysmal 17.4% from the arc, hitting only four triples throughout the game. The Dukes have had four games where they’ve shot under 30% from 3, with two of those games at 20% or less.

Despite the early season struggles, this Duquesne team has begun to prove they are one of the most elite shooting teams the Dukes have had in recent years. So far, the team is shooting 49.9% from the field and 36.1% from 3.

The additions of Guinyard and Jimmie Williams have proven to be the most instrumental, as the pair have been sharpshooters so far in 2025. Both are shooting over 50% from the field, with Guinyard knocking down 43% of his attempted 3’s.

“I think [Williams] is one of the best guards in the conference,” Joyce said. “When he’s on the floor, he’s effective. Efficient.”

At its current pace, Duquesne is on track to finish with their best true shooting percentage since 2008, where former players Aaron Jackson and Damian Saunders both finished the season above 50% true shooting. The duo also started every game of their 2008 campaign, which Guinyard and Williams are also on track to do, barring any injuries.

Duquesne’s pair of elite shooting guards is reminiscent of its 2023 team featuring Jimmy Clark and Dae Dae Grant, who helped lead the Dukes to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 47 years and an A10 Championship. In 2023, both Grant and Clark shot 33% from 3, and both Williams and Guinyard are on pace to at least match that mark.

Elite shooting has been the point of emphasis for Duquesne’s new-look team, along with stout defense in the paint from big men Jakub Necas, David Dixon and new addition John Hugley IV.

One of the biggest faults for the Dukes is their perimeter defense, allowing teams to average 39% shooting from beyond the arc. Their Achilles’ heel showed against top-notch shooting teams like VCU and William & Mary, giving up 26 3’s between the two teams, while William & Mary hit half of their attempted triples.

“We have to take more pride in playing defense,” Guinyard said. “We’re really good on offense, and sometimes we think we can just outscore teams, but we have to defend.”

The rest of the A10 schedule will be tough for Duquesne, as six teams in the conference already have 11+ wins on the season. Both Saint Louis and George Mason sit atop the conference with one loss each. Duquesne has a home-and-home schedule against the Billikens and travels to Fairfax, Virginia, to take on George Mason in February.

With so many quality teams in the A10, Duquesne has a chance for another deep run as a lower seed in the A10 Championship. Held at PPG Paints Arena this year, the Dukes will have home-court advantage and a passionate city behind them to try to reach their second NCAA Tournament appearance in three years.

Ben Deihl can be reached at deihlb1@duq.edu