Preview: La Salle Explorers at Duquesne Dukes PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Duquesne Dukes, riding a four-game winning streak, will look to solidify their position in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings when they host the struggling La Salle Explorers on Wednesday night at the A.J. Palumbo Center. The Dukes (15-10 overall) enter the matchup in strong recent form, having won five of their last six contests. Their most recent victory was a 78-73 road win at Saint Bonaventure on Feb. 14. Guard Jimmie Williams has been a catalyst, averaging 18.8 points over his last five games, including a 19-point performance against the Bonnies. Conversely, La Salle (7-18) seeks to halt a five-game skid. The Explorers fell 77-68 to VCU in their last outing on Feb. 11. Their season has been marked by offensive struggles, failing to reach 70 points in nine of their last ten games. The spotlight will be on a contrast in backcourt production. Duquesne’s Williams provides consistent scoring punch. For La Salle, the burden falls heavily on guard Rob Dockery, who has shown flashes of high-level play amid the team’s losses. Dockery posted 26 points and 14 rebounds in a Jan. 31 loss to Saint Joseph’s and 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists at Saint Louis on Feb. 7. Containing him will be a key focus for the Duquesne defense. Historically, the home court has been significant in this series. Duquesne will aim to exploit its advantage against an Explorers team that is 1-9 in true road games this season. A victory would bolster the Dukes’ resume ahead of a challenging road test at Dayton on Saturday. La Salle, searching for any positive momentum, will look to Dockery and backcourt mate Ashton Walker, who scored 14 against VCU, to spring an upset before returning home to face Rhode Island. Wednesday’s contest tips off at 7 p.m. EST as part of the Atlantic 10 conference schedule.