Game Story; Va. Commonwealth 73, JMU 53

Saturday, March 8

Richmond, Va.

TBA

James Madison University

13-17

VCU

18-9

James Madison

Virginia Commonwealth

3/8/2003 3:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. (3/8/2003) – Six players had points a during 15-0 first-half Virginia Commonwealth scoring burst, and the Rams went on to beat JMU 73-53 in the quarterfinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum.

VCU led only 6-5 before the early run gave the Rams a 21-5 lead with 7:56 left during the opening half. JMU went from the 13:31 mark of the first half until the 7:12 mark without scoring and trailed 40-19 at halftime. JMU shot only 29 percent (7-24) during the first half and had nine turnovers during in the period. VCU hit on 14 of 30 shots during the opening half, including connecting for five three-pointers.

Second-seeded VCU raised its lead to 43-20 during the opening minute of the final half and led by at least 14 points the rest of the way.

The Rams shot 44 percent for the game (24-54), out-rebounded JMU 39-33 and converted on 18 of 21 free throws (86 percent). They got 15 points each from Willie Taylor and Michael Doles, who also had eight rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.

JMU shot 34 percent overall (18-53).

Dwayne Broyles had 13 second-half points and led JMU for the game with 19 points. Broyles had four three-pointers during the second half and also had seven rebounds. Kenny Whitehead had 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for the Dukes, and Ian Caskill added 11 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. The double-double was Caskill's sixth of the season.