Duquesne edges George Mason in double OT thriller

Jan 21, 2018, 01:20 am

PITTSBURGH -- Freshman Eric Williams Jr. poured in a career-high 34 points, hitting 9 of 15 from 3-point range, and grabbed 11 rebounds for his third straight double-double and ninth of the season as Duquesne held off George Mason 95-89 in double overtime on Saturday.

Williams struck the telling blow for the Dukes (14-6, 5-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) when he nailed a 3-pointer with 41 seconds left in the second OT after George Mason's Jaire Grayer tied the game at 89 on a trey with 61 seconds to play. Duquesne, which shot just 59 percent from the foul line, hit 3 of 4 free throws in the final 19 seconds to preserve the win.

Mike Lewis II scored 20 for the Dukes, while Rene Castro-Caneddy added 14 points and seven rebounds. Tydus Verhoeven had only four points, but the freshman added eight boards, five assists and a career-best nine blocked shots with five of those coming in the final five minutes.

Justin Kier paced the Patriots (9-11, 3-4) with a career-high 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Grayer chipped in with 22 points and a career-best 15 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the campaign. Otis Livingston II scored 12 with six assists and four steals.

Williams hit a 3 with six seconds left in regulation to force overtime tied at 75. And Kier buried a jumper with 1 second left to send it to a second OT tied at 85.