Game Story; JMU 79, East Carolina 72

Wednesday, December 6

Home

TBA

James Madison University

4-2, 1-0

East Carolina

4-3, 0-1

EAST CAROLINA

JAMES MADISON

12/6/2000 10:57:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. (12/6/2000) – Pat Mitchell had his first career double-double, and JMU overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to beat East Carolina 79-72 in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams.

Mitchell had 21 points on nine-of-18 shooting, a career-high 11 rebounds, two assists and three steals in just his second game of the season. He had 16 points during the second half and was one of four Dukes to reach double figures in scoring. He played 27 minutes. Dwayne Braxton added 18 points and five assists, Tim Lyle 14 points, and Jerian Younger 10 points for JMU.

The victory was the Dukes' 22nd straight at home and their 14th straight home CAA win.

After leading 13-6, JMU fell behind 33-27 at halftime and 39-27 with 17:33 left. The Dukes rallied to go in front 54-52 on Braxton's three-pointer with 7:13 to play, and their lead reached 60-52 with 5:39 remaining. JMU hit on nine straight free throw during the final 4:05 to help seal the victory.

During the 33-13 scoring burst that took JMU from the 12-point deficit to its 60-52 lead, Mitchell had 10 points and Braxton eight. Mitchell and Younger combined for 12 of the first 13 JMU points during the run, and Braxton had a three-pointer with 11:03 left in addition to his three-pointer that gave the Dukes the lead.

JMU shot only 30.6 percent (11-36) during the first half despite hitting on four of their first seven shots. The Dukes rebounded to shoot 55.6 percent (15-27) during the second half, and they hit on 20 of their last 23 free throws after hitting on but two of their first six tries from the foul line. JMU had a 38-33 rebounding edge and only 10 turnovers and to East Carolina's 15.

East Carolina got 22 and 20 points, respectively, from Gabriel Mikulas and Erroyl Bing. Mikulas hit on nine of 13 shots and Bing on seven of 10.