DUKES TOP TRIBE 76-67, CLINCH WINNING CAMPAIGN

Saturday, February 14

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

17-10, 9-6

William and Mary

8-17, 3-12

William and Mary

James Madison

2/14/2009 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va., Feb. 14, 2009 ? Four James Madison players scored between 13 and 15 points as a balanced effort downed William & Mary 76-67 in a Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball game on Saturday night at the JMU Convocation Center.

JMU improved to 17-10 overall and 9-6 in the CAA. The victory clinched a winning record for the first time since a 20-9 mark in the 1999-2000 season. The Dukes also clinched no worse than a .500 finish in the conference for the first time since a 12-4 mark the same year.

W&M dropped to 8-17 overall and 3-12 in the league. JMU completed the season sweep of the Tribe after having lost eight in a row entering the season. The sweep of the Tribe is the first for the Dukes since a 3-0 mark against W&M, also in the 1999-2000 season.

Senior forward Kyle Swanston (Spring Hill, Fla./Worcester Academy) and junior guard Pierre Curtis (Denver, Colo./East) led JMU effort with 15 points apiece. Swanston hit four of seven three-point field goals and added two assists. Curtis hit 11 of 11 free throw opportunities, one shy of the school record for single-game percentage, while adding five rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.

Senior forward Juwann James (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) returned after missing four games due to illness and contributed 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal in 21 minutes. Junior forward Dazzmond Thornton (Denver, Colo./East) added 13 points and two steals.

Freshman Quinn McDowell led the Tribe with a career-high 20 points along with six boards and four assists. Senior David Schneider poured in 18 points and four assists.