MEN'S BASKETBALL DUKES FALL IN HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT OPENER

Friday, December 29

Orlando, Fla.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

2-8

Texas-Pan American

8-5

James Madison

Texas-Pan Am

MEN'S BASKETBALL DUKES FALL IN HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT OPENER

12/29/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 29, 2006 -- Junior guard Brian Burrell scored 23 points, and Texas-Pan American limited James Madison to seven second-half field goals while beating the Dukes 70-57 in the opening round of the UCF Holiday Classic Friday.

JMU cut a nine-point first half lead to 35-33 at halftime and pulled into a 37-37 tie early during the final period but couldn't get the lead. Texas-Pan American scored eight straight points, including a three-point field goal by Burrell, to lead 45-37 with 13 minutes left and got six straight points to lead 58-49 with 6:03 to play after the Dukes pulled to within 52-49. JMU got no closer than seven points during the final six minutes.

JMU fell to 2-8 with the loss and will return to action Saturday (Dec. 30) in the tournament's 5 p.m. consolation game against New Jersey Tech. Host Central Florida beat New Jersey Institute of Technology 75-63 in Friday's second game and will meet Texas-Pan American for the event's title Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Friday's win raised Texas-Pan American's record to 8-5.

Burrell had 16 first-half points and hit on nine of 17 shots overall, including three three-point field goals. He also had nine rebounds and led four Broncs in double figures in scoring. Texas-Pan American shot 47 percent (24-51) overall from the field and 37 percent (7-19) from three-point range.

Six-foot-11 senior center Colin Lien had 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for Texas-Pan American.

JMU hit on only seven of 28 shots (25 percent) during the final half and on 21 of 57 attempts (37 percent) for the game. The Dukes hit on only two of 12 three-point attempts (17 percent) and were out-rebounded 39-32.

Sophomore forward Juwann James (Jacksonville, Fla.) led JMU with 20 points on nine-of-14 shooting from the field before fouling out with 3:57 remaining. Freshman guard Pierre Curtis (Denver, Colo./East) added 12 points and junior forward Terrance Carter (District Heights, Md./Largo) nine points and nine rebounds for the Dukes.