GEORGIA STATE TAKES CAA OPENER OVER JMU 49-44

Saturday, December 5

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2:00 p.m.

James Madison University

4-3, 0-1

Georgia State

5-4, 1-0

Georgia State

James Madison

12/5/2009 10:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va., Dec. 5, 2009 – Georgia State used a 9-4 run in the final minutes to pull away from a 40-40 tie and record a 49-44 victory over James Madison in a Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball season opener on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

GSU improved to 5-4 overall and 1-0 in the CAA. JMU had a four-game winning streak snapped to drop to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

The Panthers led 20-16 at the half and maintained a lead of two to seven points for most of the second half. The Dukes finally tied the score for the first time at 40-40 on a jump shot by sophomore Julius Wells (Toledo, Ohio/Libbey) with 3:31 remaining.

GSU quickly went back up by four on a layup by Ousman Krubally and a jumper by Marques Johnson.

A pair of free throws by Wells pulled the Dukes back within two, but the Panthers were able to convert five of their six free throw attempts in the final 43 seconds to seal the win. JMU's final points came on a pair of free throws by senior guard Pierre Curtis (Denver, Colo./East).

Senior guard Joe Dukes had 13 points to lead the Panthers along with six rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Krubally had a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards.

Senior forward Dazzmond Thornton (Denver, Colo./East) poured in a career-high 16 points to lead JMU. Wells added 13 points and eight boards.

Curtis contributed nine points, six boards, five assists, and two steals for the Dukes. His 357 career assists make him JMU's career Division I leader, passing Ben Gordon (1986-88) with 354. Joe Pfahler (1972-76) holds the all-time record with 420.

Both teams shot 34 percent from the floor and experienced difficulty from long range. GSU made 2-of-11 three-point field goals (