PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — In a game defined by a historic individual performance and a relentless, pressure-fueled comeback, the Duquesne Dukes edged the George Washington Revolutionaries 88-86 in a thrilling Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball clash on Saturday afternoon at A.J. Palumbo Center.

The contest was ultimately decided in the final chaotic seconds, but the foundation for Duquesne’s victory was built on forcing 21 George Washington turnovers, converting them into 21 points, and a spectacular 27-point second-half explosion from junior guard Tarence Guinyard.

The game’s most pivotal sequence, however, belonged to George Washington’s Jean Aranguren. The Venezuelan guard delivered a monumental triple-double, posting 18 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, becoming the focal point of the Revolutionaries’ offense throughout the night. His most breathtaking moment came with just 30 seconds remaining and his team trailing by three. Aranguren collected an offensive rebound off a missed three-pointer and, in one fluid motion, drilled a step-back three-pointer while being fouled. The shot swished through, sending the visiting contingent into a frenzy and giving him a chance at a four-point play to take the lead.

The potential game-winning free throw, however, rimmed out, leaving the score tied at 86. On the ensuing possession, Duquesne’s Jimmie Williams was fouled and made the first of two free throws with 15 seconds left to put the Dukes back ahead. After a George Washington timeout, the Revolutionaries’ final play broke down, resulting in a heavily contested, off-balance three-point attempt by Trey Autry as time expired that missed, sealing the dramatic home victory.

Duquesne’s win was a testament to resilience. The Dukes trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, largely due to Autry’s early shooting barrage for George Washington, and entered halftime tied at 40. The second half became a back-and-forth affair featuring 10 lead changes and five ties, with neither team able to secure more than a five-point advantage.

Guinyard, who had been quiet in the first half, ignited after the break. The Tampa native scored 19 of his game-high 27 points in the final 12 minutes, attacking the rim and hitting crucial perimeter shots to repeatedly answer George Washington baskets. His driving layup with 2:45 to play gave Duquesne a 78-76 lead, a margin they would not relinquish.

Duquesne’s interior dominance was also a key factor, outscoring George Washington 44-30 in the paint and outrebounding them 14-8 on the offensive glass. David Dixon provided a strong inside presence for the Dukes with 17 points and five rebounds, while Jimmie Williams added 20 points. For George Washington, Luke Hunger recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Autry finished with 15 points, all from beyond the arc.

The victory improved Duquesne to 14-10 overall and provided a crucial conference win in front of 2,393 fans. The Dukes, who were installed as a one-point pregame favorite, outperformed the national statistical projections that gave them a 70% chance to win. George Washington, despite the heroic effort from Aranguren, fell to 13-11, dropping its second consecutive close conference game.

The game’s total of 174 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 161.5, a figure surpassed by the offensive fireworks of the final minutes alone. Duquesne next travels to face Saint Bonaventure on Feb. 14, while George Washington returns home to host Rhode Island on Feb. 10.