PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Duquesne likely played its last home game on the road. Dukes beat St.Joseph's 67-50 Saturday night at the Kerr Fitness Center at LaRoche University.
Duquesne (6-6, 5-5 in Atlantic 10) has had to play away for a couple of years during construction to rebuild the old Palumbo Center.
"Just for it to be the last game, is kind of a relief," said Marcus Weathers. "Just get into a new place where we have consistent rims. Not so much worrying about traveling so far just to play in a game."
Weathers closed with a bang, a third double-double on the season, 24 points and 12 rebounds.
After construction delays due to COVID-19, Duquesne will finally open their on-campus arena renamed the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse on Tuesday against Dayton.
"I think they are going to be super-excited when they see this place," said head coach Keith Dambrot. "It's an unbelievable place. I don't give out compliments easily, I can't imagine it, unless we had another 50 million dollars, of being any better than it could be."
"It's high-level. I think people will really be thrilled with it once they see it. This is just phase one."
Dambrot joked that its been so long since they had a true home game, he didn't have a bald spot or gray hair before this hiatus.
"I want to say I'm ecstatic just because we are going into a new environment with the new Cooper Field House," Weathers said. "I know a lot of our guys are just excited to get in there. Excited is the biggest word."
"Duquesne basketball will be in firm footing for a long time because of it," Dambrot said.
