CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Duquesne's losing streak -- four. Its standing among the Atlantic 10's top 12 teams for tournament play -- suspect. Its game-changing shot-blocker -- down for the count, at least yesterday.

Duquesne lost, 89-82, to Charlotte in Halton Arena yesterday, but more daunting than its task of at least splitting its final two conference games to secure a spot in the A-10 tournament field is the prospect of perhaps doing it without Shawn James, the nation's No. 4 shot-blocker.

James collided with 49ers forward Charlie Coley midway through the second half, rose from the court clutching his right shoulder, and didn't return.

The Dukes (16-11, 6-8 A-10) were unable to overcome Charlotte's clutch shooting and quick-strike offense without him. James left with six points and seven rebounds, but three turnovers and one block, combining with forward Kieron Achara for 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Charlotte, which began the day tied with Duquesne for ninth in the A-10, countered with 21 points from guard Leemire Goldwire, 19 from center Lamont Mack and 16 from Coley for its fourth consecutive win.

"Their shooters made tough shots," said Duquesne coach Ron Everhart.

"Our execution was a heck of a lot better than it has been in the past few games. I thought we gave ourselves a chance late in the game, but just couldn't come up with the rebounds and breaks when we needed them."

Duquesne shot 42.9 percent and 36.7 on 3-point attempts, improvements over losing-streak averages of 35.5 and 22.2. But the Dukes' post players combined for 23 points and 14 of the team's 38 rebounds -- even struggling to contain slow-of-foot center Phil Jones, who finished with nine points, including three dunks, and three rebounds as a reserve.

Reggie Jackson scored 17, Bill Clark and Kojo Mensah 14 each and Gary Tucker 10 for Duquesne, whose previous win in North Carolina came in 1937 -- 53-33, against North Carolina State.

Overmatched underneath, Duquesne overcame an 0-for-7 start in 3-point attempts to bounce back from 12-point deficits five times.

Charlotte opened the second half with an 18-6 run, twice getting three-point plays from Mack, in the first seven minutes. That gave Charlotte a 54-40 lead.

Goldwire's 3-pointer gave Charlotte a 77-66 lead with 5:30 left in regulation, but Reggie Jackson converted three free throws after he was fouled beyond the arc and Damian Saunders added a 3.

Reggie Jackson followed with a 3-pointer of his own, drawing Duquesne back to 82-80 with 1:40 left.

The stage appeared set for Duquesne's final push when Coley's monstrous dunk attempt sprung straight up off the back of the rim on the next possession, but Charlotte rebounded and Mack hit a basket to push Charlotte's lead to 84-80.

Reggie Jackson was called for a charge on the next possession, and joined Achara and Bill Clark, who had fouled out earlier, on the bench. In their first 26 games this season, the Dukes had only two players foul out.