Game Story; JMU 59, American 52

Wednesday, January 5

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James Madison University

8-5, 2-1

American

5-6, 0-2

AMERICAN

JAMES MADISON

1/5/2000 1:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. (1/5/2000) – Jabari Outtz hit on six straight free throw during the final 23.4 seconds as JMU defeated American for the fourth straight time, 59-52, after rallying from a nine-point second-half deficit.

The Dukes, who trailed 36-27 less than three minutes into the second half, held American to four field goals the rest of the way. They went in front to stay 51-49 on Mickey Dennis' three-pointer with 3:04 to play and led 53-49 on Jamar Perry's two free throws with 1:54 left. Outtz then raised the margin to 55-51 with two free throws with 23.4 seconds to play, to 57-52 with 15.6 seconds left and to 59-52 with 8.2 seconds remaining.

JMU shot only 36.7 percent (18-49) but got boosts off the bench from freshmen Pat Mitchell and Ian Caskill, who combined for four points and 15 rebounds in 31 minutes. Playing for the first time since Dec. 4 and for only the second time as a college player, Mitchell had nine rebounds, two points, an assist and a blocked shot in 14 minutes. His block came with two minutes left and JMU leading only 51-49. Caskill played 17 minutes and had six rebounds, two points and a blocked shot.

JMU led 22-14 after freshman David Fanning's three-pointer with 7:59 left in the first half but got only one field goal (a fast-break layup off a steal) during the next 10 minutes. American led 36-27 on Patrick Doctor's field goal with 17:27 to play.

Doctor finished with a career-high 25 points but had only one field goal and two free throws (four attempts) after scoring with 17:27 left.

Perry had 11 points and Dennis, Outtz and Rob Strickland 10 each for JMU.