Gwathmey Leads JMU to 72-56 Win Over Liberty

Monday, November 23

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

3-1

Liberty

2-2

Liberty

JMU

11/23/2015 9:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball doused the Liberty Flames, 72-56, behind a career-high 33 points from redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey. The Dukes improved to 3-1 while the Flames fell to 2-2.

Gwathmey had an explosive performance, scoring 21 points in the first half, while the Liberty squad was limited to just 18 points in the first half. She shot 10-of-19 from the floor and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. Not just an offensive force, the Bealeton, Va., native also tallied five rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

After the game was tied 2-2, the Dukes broke out on a 12-0 run to take a 14-2 lead and led by as many as 25 points (33-8) early in the second quarter. The Flames battled back to within 11 (65-54; 2:50 left 4Q), but JMU held on for the win behind jumpers from senior guard Ashley Perez and junior forward Da'Lishia Griffin.

Perez scored in double figures for the fifth game in a row, pouring in 14 points. She also had five rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Griffin led the Dukes on the boards with nine rebounds, and senior guard Angela Mickens had a game-high five assists. She now has 475 career helpers, five away Holly Rilinger, who sits in sixth all-time for career assists at JMU with 480.

JMU scored 29 points off Liberty's 20 turnovers, compared to the Flames' 13 points off the Dukes' 15 turnovers. Madison also went an impressive 18-for-20 from the free-throw line, with 18 trips to the charity stripe coming in the second half.

The Dukes take a break for Thanksgiving and return to action Sunday to face Hampton on the road at 5 p.m.

QUOTING COACH BROOKS
"I thought they did a fantastic job, came out and swung early, we were able to get a nice flow going, we fed off the crowd."
Hear Head Coach Kenny Brooks' full postgame interview here.

PLAY OF THE GAME

For full highlights from tonight's game, please click here.

NUMBERS OF NOTE

Tonight's crowd of 2,200 marked the 30th straight game at the JMU Convocation Center that at least 2,000 fans have come to support the women's basketball Dukes.
Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey is the 11th different player to score 30 or more points with Head Coach Kenny Brooks at the helm of the Dukes. It is the 42nd time during the Brooks era a player has scored at least 30 points in a game.
Tonight marked the 100th game played of senior guard Angela Mickens' career.

Hear from Gwathmey, Mickens and senior guard Ashley Perez in their postgame interview here.

PHOTO OF THE GAME
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For full gallery from tonight's game, please click here .

TWEET OF THE GAME

Trombones and Scoobs supporting @jmuwbasketball during break!! #startwearingpurple https://t.co/OGCbmdVdlN
— JMU Pep Band (@JMUPepBand) November 24, 2015