Duquesne is off to a strong start this season, and now it's time to find out how the Dukes stack up against the teams that matter most.
The Dukes tipped off Atlantic 10 play with the biggest challenge right off the bat, going on the road to take on league favorite Dayton.
Duquesne stayed within striking distance throughout but never could quite mount a big enough challenge to scare the Flyers. Dayton never trailed and kept the Dukes at bay in the second half of a 69-57 win at UD Arena.
Jimmy Clark III led Duquesne (10-4, 0-1 A10) with 15 points and tied his career high with eight rebounds. Tevin Brewer was the only other player in double figures for the Dukes with 10 points.
Duquesne just didn't have enough offense, as leading scorer Dae Dae Grant was held to eight points, and the other three starters beside him and Clark managed a combined four points.
R.J. Gunn returned to action after missing 10 games with an injury, and he scored seven points off the bench for the Dukes. He and Brewer combined to give Duquesne a 30-3 lead in bench points.
Dayton (9-5, 1-0) was led by DaRon Holmes II with 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Flyers were ranked in the top 25 earlier this season, before a three-game losing streak. They've now won four in a row and six of seven.
Duquesne will play its conference home opener Saturday against Rhode Island. Tipoff will be 1 p.m. at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.
THE ESSENTIALS
