DUKES TOP FLORIDA ATLANTIC IN PRESEASON NIT

Tuesday, November 25

Davidson, N.C.

5:45 p.m.

James Madison University

3-2

Florida Atlantic

3-3

Florida Atlantic

James Madison

11/25/2008 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

DAVIDSON, N.C., Nov. 25, 2008 ? Freshman forward Andrey Semenov (St. Petersburg, Russia/Blue Ridge School) led five James Madison players in double figures in scoring with 17 points, and the Dukes controlled play during the final 31 minutes to defeat Florida Atlantic 81-64 in the fourth round of the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off Tuesday.

Playing at Davidson College, JMU rallied from an eight-point deficit to lead 35-27 at halftime. Florida Atlantic got to within 39-35 early during the final period before the Dukes used a 21-4 scoring burst to lead 60-39 with 10:49 left and all but seal their second Preseason NIT victory.

JMU improved to 3-2, and Florida Atlantic fell to 3-3. JMU split games during each of two schedule segments in the Preseason NIT. The Dukes lost to Davidson and beat Mississippi Valley State at Oklahoma in their first two games and lost to Loyola (Md.) before defeating Florida Atlantic in two games at Davidson this week.

Semenov, who Tuesday surpassed his previous career scoring high of nine, had three field goals during JMU's decisive 21-4 burst. He scored on a foul line jumper for a 41-35 Dukes edge with 15:53 to play to start the run, converted off an offensive rebound with just more than 14 minutes to play and had a field goal for a 58-39 JMU lead at 11:19.