Dukes Start 2015-16 Campaign with 87-75 Triumph at Richmond

Friday, November 13

Richmond, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

1-0

Richmond

0-1

James Madison

Richmond

Dukes Start 2015-16 Campaign with 87-75 Triumph at Richmond

11/13/2015 9:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. - James Madison used a 15-3 run over the final 3:39 to open the 2015-16 season with an 87-75 win at Richmond on Friday night in men's basketball action.

The Dukes, who start the year 1-0 for the first time since 2011-12, shot 50.8-percent (30-for-59) from the field on the evening, including an 11-for-24 clip from beyond the arc, while outrebounding the Spiders 40-23. Four Dukes scored in double figures, led by junior guard Shakir Brown.

Brown, who joined the Dukes as a transfer for 2015-16, made a statement in his first action, going off for 20 points and a game-high 12 rebounds in the victory. After tallying six points in the opening period, Brown went a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, including two three-pointers, and 4-for-4 from the line to lift the Dukes with a 14-point second half.

Senior guard Ron Curry started his year where he left off in 2014-15, scoring 19 points and dishing out eight assists. Down the stretch, Curry hit a trio of free throws that extended the Dukes' lead to 11 with less than a minute left and put the game out of reach. Junior forward Tom Vodanovich scored a ruthlessly efficient 15 points, going 6-for-7 from the field and drilling the only three three-pointers that he attempted. Junior guard Jackson Kent also finished in double-figures, tallying 11 points and three rebounds, despite not hitting a three-pointer.

The 87-point effort represented the most that JMU has scored on the road since a Nov. 19, 2012, contest at Duquesne and the most the Dukes have posted in a season opener since they scored 100 against Siena on Nov. 9, 2007.

For the Spiders, Terry Allen led the way, going 10-for-15 from the field to lead all scorers with 27 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Tonight's result marked the first loss for Richmond in a season opener since 1999 and the most points the Spiders have surrendered at home since a 93-84 loss to VMI on Dec. 20, 2006.

QUOTING COACH BRADY
"I'm not sure how terribly experienced we are just yet, but I know we've grown a lot since last year. We've added some really nice pieces; obviously, Shakir [Brown] was terrific and Ron [Curry] led us like he did all last year and our forwards did a really good job of taking care of the ball."
Complete Press Conference

TURNING POINT
With the Dukes trailing 68-67 with 6:14 left to play, senior guard Ron Curry kicked a pass to junior forward Tom Vodanovich, who drilled a three-pointer from the right corner with just two seconds left on the shot clock. The trey was Vodanovich's third of the game and keyed a 13-2 JMU run that sealed the victory for the Dukes.

TWEET OF THE GAME

Thanks to all the fans that came to Richmond we love the support and definitely heard you it's going to be a fun year
— Winston Grays (@W_Grays23) November 14, 2015

STAT OF THE GAME
The Dukes dominated the glass on Friday evening, outrebounding Richmond, 40-23. Of JMU's 40 rebounds, 16 came on the offensive glass compared to 17 defensive rebounds for the Spiders, an effort that led to 22 second-chance points for the Dukes.

NEXT UP
The Dukes stay away from home for another game, as they travel to Charleston, W.Va. on Monday, Nov. 16 to face West Virginia on a neutral court. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.