Dukes post impressive A10 home win over VCU

Duquesne jumped out to a blistering start over Atlantic 10 rival VCU and wound up winning easily Wednesday night, as the Dukes continue their strong run to open league play.

Duquesne bolted to a 30-8 lead 13 minutes into the game and never looked back on its way to a 79-70 victory at UMPC Cooper Fieldhouse.

Jimmy Clark III scored a career-high 26 points against his former team as the Dukes clobbered the Rams to improve to 2-1 in Atlantic 10 play, 12-4 overall. Clark, who began his career at VCU, also had six rebounds and a career-best five steals on a tremendous night for him and his team.

Clark easily surpassed his previous career high of 19, set earlier this season against Marshall.

Dae Dae Grant added 13 points, hitting 4 of 8 from 3, while RJ Gunn had 13 off the bench and made 3 of 5 from deep.

Duquesne led 37-22 at the half, and the outcome was never in jeopardy in the second half as the Dukes held off any rally attempts by the Rams.

Duquesne opened A10 play with a loss at Dayton but has rebounded with home wins over Rhode Island and VCU. The Dukes now face a difficult stretch with three straight league road games -- at Richmond, Saint Joseph's and St. Bonaventure.

This was the first time Duquesne has beaten VCU in Pittsburgh, with the Rams winning the previous four meetings.

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