Duquesne's victory in the Atlantic 10 Tournament championship game against VCU secured their first NCAA Tournament bid in 47 years. The Dukes, led by Jimmy Clark III and coach Keith Dambrot, clinched a hard-fought 57-51 win to punch their ticket to March Madness.
Despite a challenging second half where Duquesne struggled offensively, their strong defensive play throughout the season propelled them to victory. The team's resilience was evident as they overcame a five-game losing streak earlier in the conference season to finish with a remarkable eight-game winning streak heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Dambrot, who previously coached LeBron James in high school, guided the Dukes to a program-record tying number of victories. This achievement marked a significant milestone for a program with limited historical success.
Joe Bamisile led VCU's efforts with 20 points, but it was not enough to thwart Duquesne's determined performance. The game, though described as 'ugly' by Bamisile, showcased the intense competition between the two teams vying for the championship title.
Following a brief delay caused by premature falling streamers, Duquesne maintained their composure to secure the win. Clark's crucial free throws in the final seconds sealed the victory, with Grant being named the tournament's most outstanding player.
Despite facing challenges both on and off the court, including Coach Dambrot's wife's battle with breast cancer, Duquesne's triumph was a testament to their perseverance and unity as a team.
Looking ahead, VCU will aim for an NIT bid while Duquesne prepares to represent Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament. Although they may not have the advantage of playing at home in the first round, the Dukes are poised to make a memorable impact on college basketball's biggest stage.
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