Dru Joyce III’s Debut Season as Head Coach Ends in Heartbreaking Loss
In a dramatic turn of events, Dru Joyce III’s inaugural season as head coach concluded with Duquesne’s 64-59 defeat to St. Bonaventure in the Atlantic 10 Tournament’s second round at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Joyce expressed his sentiments shortly after the defending champions, the Dukes, let a comfortable 13-point lead slip away, resulting in their 12th loss by fewer than six points. Despite the disappointment, Joyce commended his team for their unwavering faith and resilience throughout the challenging season.
The game saw the Dukes maintain their lead against long-time rivals St. Bonaventure for the majority of the match. However, a late surge from St. Bonaventure, led by Lajae Jones and Melvin Council Jr., ultimately secured an unexpected victory for the Bonnies, advancing them to the quarterfinals against top-seeded VCU.
In their 137th meeting, St. Bonaventure managed to overcome a 13-point deficit in the second half, with Council’s clutch plays proving pivotal in their comeback. Despite Maximus Edwards’ impressive performance for Duquesne, the team’s struggles in handling St. Bonaventure’s pressure and committing turnovers proved costly in the final minutes of the game.
Looking ahead, Joyce emphasized the importance of regrouping and preparing for the next season, highlighting the resilience and dedication of his players. With an offseason of reflection and improvement on the horizon, Joyce remains focused on building a team that is willing to fight for each other and strive for success in the future.
Dave Mackall, a TribLive contributing writer, provided insights into this thrilling match-up, capturing the excitement and intensity of the Atlantic 10 Tournament clash between Duquesne and St. Bonaventure.