Game Story; Appalachian State 58, JMU 55

Tuesday, December 30

Boone, N.C.

TBA

James Madison University

3-5

Appalachian State

6-7

James Madison

Appalachian State

12/30/2003 12:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BOONE, N.C. (12/30/2003) – JMU rallied from a 21-point deficit to take a second-half lead but didn't score during final three minutes in falling 58-55 at Appalachian State.

The Dukes trailed 30-9 after 13 minutes and 35-23 at halftime and were still down 52-38 with just more than 11 minutes left in the game before holding the Mountaineers to one field goal the rest of the way. A 17-2 scoring run, capped by David Cooper's 18-footer with 3:34 left, put JMU in front for the only time, 55-54.

JMU had two turnovers during the final 1:40, and Appalachian State hit on four free throws during the last 1:29. Derek Thomas' two free throws at the 1:29 mark gave the Mountaineers the lead for good, 56-55, and Matt Jones hit on two with 6.5 seconds to play after Appalachian State twice grabbed offensive rebounds.

Dwayne Broyles with 12 points was JMU's only double-figure scorer, and the Dukes shot but 35.4 percent (23-65). They hit on only nine of 32 field goal tries during the first half and connected on but three of 16 three-point attempts overall.

JMU committed eight turnovers during the game's first nine minutes as Appalachian State built its big early lead. The Dukes finished with 20 turnovers but also forced the Mountaineers into 21.

Appalachian State had only six second-half field goals and shot 22.2 percent (6-27) from the field during the final period and 32.2 percent (19-59) overall. The Mountaineers also had only three three-pointers, but they hit on 17 of 25 free throws to only six of eight by JMU (both season lows).

Broyles had seven rebounds and a team-high five assists in addition to his team-leading 12 points. Cooper played for the Dukes for the first time in three games and had six points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes. Chris Williams had nine points, three rebounds and three assists for JMU.

Johnathan Mitchell had 13 points and Thomas 10 points and 10 rebounds for Appalachian State.