Game Story; JMU 76, Virginia Military 65

Monday, February 9

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Virginia Military Institute

James Madison

2/9/2004 1:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. (2/9/2004) – Daniel Freeman had his second straight 20-point scoring performance, and Ray Barbosa connected on two three-point field goals during a 21-7 JMU scoring burst to start the second half as JMU beat Virginia Military Institute 76-65.

Freeman finished with a team-high 22 points after scoring a career-high 24 Feb. 7 in a JMU win over George Mason. He hit on seven of nine shots from the field, including a career-high four three-point field goals in five attempts. He also had two rebounds and two assists while playing 27 minutes.

JMU trailed 32-26 late during the first half and 32-28 at halftime before outscoring the Keydets 21-7 during the opening 6:24 of the second half. Barbosa had a three-point field goal at the 18:28 mark of the final half to give the Dukes a 33-32 lead, and his three-pointer with 18:00 remaining put JMU in front to stay, 36-34.

A Dwayne Broyles layup with 13:36 to play capped the JMU burst and gave the Dukes a 49-39 advantage.

VMI ran off seven straight points to get to within 49-46 and was within 53-50 with 8:50 to play but never got closer. Three-pointers by Freeman on consecutive JMU possessions made the Dukes' advantage 59-52 with 7:51 left, and the lead reached 71-60 with 1:39 left on Barbosa's third three-pointer of the game.

JMU shot 45 percent (9-20) on three-point attempts for the game and hit on six of 11 of the long-ranged shots during the second half. The Dukes shot 46.3 percent (25-54) overall from the field, had a 31-29 rebounding edge – only the Dukes' third rebounding edge of the season – and committed only seven turnovers to VMI's 10. JMU hit on 17 of 27 free throws to only eight of nine for the Keydets.

VMI shot 50.0 percent (13-26) during the first half and 48.3 percent (27-55) overall. However, the Keydets hit on only three of 14 (21.4 percent) three-point attempts for the game.

Broyles added 16 points, six rebounds and four assists and David Cooper 11 points and six rebounds for the Dukes. Broyles led the team in assists and tied Cooper and Cavell Johnson for the team rebounding lead. Barbosa finished with nine points and three assists in 33 minutes.

VMI's Radee Skipworth led all players in the game with 26 points and 12 rebounds. Matt Murrer added 19 points for the Keydets, and Richard Little had 13 assists.