The High Point University men's basketball team fell in their 2008-09 season opener to Duquesne, 84-55, on Friday night in the Palumbo Center.

The Panthers (0-1) struggled through a sluggish opening half before battling the Dukes (1-0) much more evenly in the second period. Junior Eugene Harris scored 15 points to lead HPU while Duquesne got 21 points from Damian Saunders.

"I was disappointed in the outcome tonight," said HPU head coach Bart Lundy. "Overall, we just did not compete like I expect us to do. We are going to have to go back to work and figure out who we are going to be from this point forward."

Duquesne used an early 24-3 run to seize control of the tempo. HPU committed 17 first half turnovers that resulted in 20 points for the Dukes. David Campbell drilled a three-pointer at the 7:24 mark of the first half to snap an eight minute scoring drought for the Panthers. High Point trailed 43-15 at the break.

The two teams fought back and forth in the second half. The Panthers turned the tables a bit in the second half forcing 15 turnovers by the Dukes while tallying just eight miscues of their own.

For the game, High Point shot 35 percent from the floor while Duquesne connected at a 52 percent clip. The Panthers netted eight three-pointers in the contest led by three from Harris. The Dukes posted a 42-24 advantage in rebounding and the two squads combined for 49 turnovers on the night. The Panthers made 11 of 12 free throws (91 percent) in the contest.

Seven players made their collegiate debuts for the Panthers in the contest. David Singleton and Steadman Short earned starting assignments in their career openers. Nine different players got in the scoring column for HPU on the night.

High Point next returns to the hardwood on Thursday in their home at the Millis Center against Atlanta Christian College at 7 p.m. HPU is 28-2 at home the last two seasons and have also won 19 consecutive non-conference home contests.