SEMENOV, DUKES RALLY BY UNCW IN MEN'S BASKETBALL

Saturday, January 31

Wilmington, N.C.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

14-9 (6-5CAA)

UNCW

5-18 (2-9CAA)

James Madison

UNC Wilmington

1/31/2009 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C., Jan. 31, 2009 ? Freshman forward Andrey Semenov (St. Petersburg, Russia/Blue Ridge School) scored 23 of his career-high 25 points during the final half to lead James Madison to a 79-73 come-from-behind Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball win at North Carolina Wilmington Saturday night.

JMU trailed 32-17 with 7:40 left in the opening half and 41-32 at halftime before rallying to raise its season record to 14-9 and its CAA mark to 6-5. The Dukes with the win surpassed their victories total of a year ago when they finished 13-17, and their 14 wins are the most they've registered in season since going 14-15 in 2001-02.

Semenov hit on seven of eight shots from the field, including a three-point attempt, and on 10 straight free throws while JMU outscored the host Seahawks 47-32 during the second half. He surpassed his previous career-high of 17 points against Florida Atlantic Nov. 25 and had the best scoring effort by a JMU player during the 2008-09 season. He also had three rebounds and a blocked shot while playing 28 minutes.

JMU pulled to within 44-41 less than five minutes into the second half only to fall behind 52-43 by the period's 13:13 mark and didn't get its first lead until Semenov hit on a jumper from the lane for a 68-66 Dukes edge with 3:49 remaining. JMU didn't go in front to stay until converting on a five-point play with 1:10 remaining.

Freshman forward Julius Wells (Toledo, Ohio/Libbey) put the Dukes up 71-70 with a three-pointer at the 1:10 mark, and Semenov connected on two free throws for a 73-70 lead after being fouled while positioning himself for a potential rebound of Wells' shot.