PITTSBURGH — Dae Dae Grant had 21 points in Duquesne's 79-77 victory against Cleveland State in Monday night's season opener for both teams.
The game was back-and-forth all evening, with neither squad ever leading by more than five points. The Vikings held a 74-72 advantage with less than two minutes to play before Fousseyni Drame's 3-pointer put the Dukes ahead, and they held on for the victory.
Grant was 5 of 15 shooting, including 3 for 9 from 3-point range, and went 8 for 11 from the line. Jimmy Clark III scored 16 points and added eight assists and three steals while Drame had 10 points and five boards off the bench.
Drew Lowder led CSU in scoring, finishing with 27 points and four assists. Tae Williams added 21 points, 11 rebounds and two steals for the Vikes, and Tristan Enaruna also put up 15 points, two steals, and three blocks.
Cleveland State trailed by just two with seven seconds left, but Williams' 20-foot jumper that would've sent the game into overtime was no good. This marks the Vikings' 10th consecutive Opening Day loss dating back to 2014.
CSU comes home to the Wolstein Center Wednesday night to host Division III opponent Defiance College.