ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. -- Duquesne fell behind early, pushed back with a rush forward, but it wasn't enough, as the Dukes (15-14, 6-9) dropped an a 92-80 decision to St. Bonaventure (14-14, 7-8) in Atlantic 10 Conference play tonight at Reilly Center.

Andrew Nicholson scored 21 for the Bonnies while Damian Saunders had 17 for the Dukes.

The Dukes were extremely flat early on, falling behind 18-6 and then 24-8 as they were in a mode that resembled more sleepwalking than anything else.

But Duquesne gathered itself, played some defense and got back into it, making it 36-26 with 3:49 remaining before the half.

From there, the Dukes knifed into the lead more, making it 43-35 at the half on a Melquan Bolding 3-pointer just before the buzzer.

Duquesne next plays in a matinee on Friday, as they will play their Atlantic 10 finale at noon against Fordham at the Palumbo Center.

With a win tonight and one in that Fordham game, the Dukes would have been assured a home game in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament.

Now, though, Duquesne must get help from others in order to play at home.

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