JMU Drops Exhibition to Phila U

Sunday, November 2

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

Philadelphia (exh.)

11/2/2014 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Four James Madison players scored in double figures but free throws in the closing seconds lifted Philadelphia to a 79-76 exhibition victory in an exhibition Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

Sophomore forward Paulius Satkus (Raudondvaris, Lithuania/Barking Abbey (England)) was one rebound shy of a double-double. He scored a team-high 20 points to go with nine rebounds, six of which came on the offensive glass. Two other JMU sophomores scored 14 points apiece in forward Yohanny Dalembert (Port-au-Prince, Haiti/Lower Merion (Pa.)) and guard Jackson Kent (High Point, N.C./High Point Christian). Kent also knocked down four three-pointers, which tied for the game-high.

The Dukes trailed 70-64 with less than six minutes to play but Satkus hit a 3-pointer with 3:57 to play, which sparked a 10-0 run that was capped by a Dalembert layup with 1:45 remaining. The Rams answered back with a Derek Johnson three to cut it to one and after Satkus got an offensive rebound and putback, Jordan DiCicco scored his only points of the game on a trey with 49 seconds to go. Philadelphia stopped JMU on the ensuing possession and Johnson was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 2.2 seconds on the clock. He hit all three free throws and JMU's desperation shot at the buzzer was off the mark, giving Philadelphia the win for the first time in seven exhibition attempts against JMU.

The Rams were led by Johnson's 21 points, as all five starters recorded double-figure points. Nick Schlitzer matched Kent by converting four triples, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds. Peter Alexis, the younger brother of former JMU star Meredith Alexis (2003-07), contribued 13 points and nine rebounds.

Both teams finished with 18 assists and JMU held a narrow rebounding advantage, 35-33, including 14-9 on the offensive end.

The Dukes open the regular season Friday, Nov. 14, at home against No. 8/9 Virginia. The game tips off at 7 p.m. and doors will open at 5:30 p.m.