Game Story; JMU 61, Old Dominion 59

Saturday, February 19

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James Madison University

17-7, 11-3CAA

Old Dominion

11-17, 6-9CAA

OLD DOMINION

JAMES MADISON

2/19/2000 2:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. (2/19/2000) – Rob Strickland put JMU in front to stay with two free throws with 28.7 seconds left, and the Dukes moved back into first place in the Colonial Athletic Association while celebrating their 1999-2000 Senior Day with a 61-60 victory over Old Dominion.

JMU raised its CAA record to 11-3 and its overall mark to 17-7 while winning its 12th straight home game during the 1999-2000 season and its 17th straight home game overall. The Dukes gained sole possession of the league lead when former co-leader George Mason lost at North Carolina Wilmington.

Strickland pulled JMU to within 59-58 with a free throw with 1:01 left, rebounded a missed Old Dominion shot with 30 seconds to play and gave JMU a 60-59 lead with his free throws at the 28.7-second mark. He then was the key defender on an Old Dominion turnover, and he rebounded a missed Jabari Outtz free throw (Outtz hit the first) with 8.3 seconds left. Strickland missed the first shot of a one-and-one opportunity with 6.1 seconds remaining, but Old Dominion couldn't hit on a hurried three-point attempt at the final horn.

Strickland finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds and was among four JMU seniors recognized during pre-game activities. He hit on six of eight free throws overall.

JMU trailed for much of the first half but pulled into a 31-31 halftime tie despite shooting 31.7 percent (13-41) during the opening period. Old Dominion took a 47-42 lead with 11:50 to play, but Strickland had four points during a 10-0 run that gave JMU a 52-47 edge with 8:06 remaining.

Old Dominion tied the score at 52-52 with 5:37 left and led 59-57 before being held scoreless during the final 2:08.

Outtz led JMU with 17 points, and the Dukes got 16 points and five rebounds from Mickey Dennis, who hit on seven of 10 shots. JMU had a 38-30 rebounding advantage, including an 18-5 edge in offensive rebounds, and took 16 more shots than Old Dominion. JMU shot 34.9 percent (22-63) and the Monarchs 48.9 percent (23-47).

Andre McCullum had 16 points, Freddie Bryant 12 and Michael Williams 10 for Old Dominion.