Duquesne was looking to send a message throughout the Atlantic 10 Conference.

It came through loud and clear at the Palumbo Center.

The Dukes (11-3) defeated Fordham, 74-62, last night in the league opener for both teams that wasn't as close as the final score would indicate.

Duquesne won its fifth in a row and ended a five-game losing streak against Fordham (6-7), which couldn't match the energy of the fired-up Dukes.

"I feel we have a lot to prove this year," said Duquesne's 6-foot-10 Shawn James, who had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. "We're trying to win the Atlantic 10 championship, that's been our goal since the beginning of the season. Every game in the conference we have to treat like it's the biggest game of the season."

James' three blocks boosted his total to 60, tying the school record for a season set by Derrick Alston in 28 games in 1991-92 and 1992-93.

"Shawn makes everything so much easier for us with his presence underneath," said Reggie Jackson, who has emerged as Duquesne's leader. Jackson scored a team-high 15 points, to go with three assists and no turnovers. He made 3 of 4 shots from beyond the arc; the rest of the team made 1 of 17.

Jackson, a senior who transferred to Duquesne last season from junior college, has blossomed into a steadying influence at point guard.

"It seems like a light bulb has gone on for him in his second year with us," Duquesne coach Ron Everhart said. "He's gotten away from making the spectacular pass and settled on making the solid pass. He's learning how to be a point guard."

Jackson's teammates appreciate his contributions.

"We call him 'The General' because we put the ball in his hands and work off him," James said. "He brings everything to the game for us."

Jackson made a couple long jumpers to beat the shot clock and fuel the momentum for the Dukes, who increased a 40-26 halftime lead to as much as 68-47 with five minutes remaining. Duquesne lost some focus at that stage and Fordham closed the gap as 6-8 Bryant Dunston scored the bulk of his 19 points. He also had 11 rebounds and 8 blocks. Sebastian Greene had 20 points and 10 rebounds, but Marcus Stout, the team's best perimeter shooter, was 2 of 11 from the field for four points.

Everhart scrapped his two-platoon substitution system and used just eight players, keeping Jason Duty, Phillip Fayne and David Theis on the bench.

"We did that because we wanted to keep our best defensive players on the floor throughout," Everhart said. "I liked our defensive effort."

Duquesne rebounded better than it had in recent games and enjoyed a 47-35 advantage on the boards, including 22 offensive. The most active player was 6-7 freshman Damian Saunders, who had 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

"It's nice to have Damian Saunders on our side," Everhart said. "He makes plays."

The Dukes made a number of plays that were of the highlight-reel variety.

Aaron Jackson rebounded Reggie Jackson's missed shot and banked in a 15-footer while hanging in midair at the buzzer to end the first half. Reggie Tucker, who led the Dukes with five assists, bounced a pass down the lane through traffic for a reverse dunk by Saunders. Tucker, only 6-1 but who might have the highest vertical jump on the team, blocked what appeared to be a sure layup on a fastbreak by Kevin Anderson. And Saunders made a steal near midcourt and dribbled down the floor for a two-handed slam.

"Our confidence is building," James said. "We're getting better and better."

NOTES -- This was Duquesne's first league opener at home in eight years. ... Duquesne's Kojo Mensah committed seven of the team's 10 turnovers. ... Fordham's last lead was 5-3. ... Duquesne plays nationally ranked Rhode Island at 2 p.m. Sunday in Kingston, R.I.