JMU Edged by West Virginia, 69-62, in Florida Sunshine Classic

Sunday, December 20

Warden Arena, Winter Park, Fla.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

6-3

West Virginia

9-2

West Virginia

James Madison

JMU Edged by West Virginia, 69-62, in Florida Sunshine Classic

12/20/2015 8:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

WINTER PARK, Fla. – A 12-0 run by West Virginia during the heart of the fourth quarter proved the difference as James Madison women's basketball fell 69-62 to West Virginia in the Florida Sunshine Classic.

WVU used its run to take the lead for good after six tied scores and 17 lead changes in the contest. The Mountaineers (9-2) shot 66.7 percent from the floor (8-12) over the final 10 minutes of play while the Dukes (6-3) shot 27.8 percent during the same span.

JMU finished the game shooting 38.1 percent from the floor, including a 56.3-percent showing during the third quarter. The performance came as part of an 11-2 run to bridge the halves, giving JMU a 35-34 lead with 6:02 to play in the third quarter.

Senior guard Ashley Perez sparked the Dukes' run for the lead and finished with a career-high 33 points. Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey posted nine points and added seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Senior point guard Angela Mickens tallied eight points to go along with game-high assists (9) and steals (4).

The Dukes held a 36-34 advantage in rebounds, including a 12-7 edge in offensive boards. Freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams and redshirt sophomore forward Tasia Butler each snagged three offensive rebounds, posting eight and seven total rebounds, respectively.

JMU wraps up the Florida Sunshine Classic on Monday, Dec. 21, with a 5 p.m. match-up against No. 4/4 Baylor at Warden Arena in Winter Park, Fla.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Angela Mickens posted nine assists and is now at 514 for her career, just 19 away from cracking the top five all-time at JMU. She also snagged four steals, giving her 151 for her career and is only five thefts away from the top 15.

TWEET OF THE DAY

JMU nation traveled well to support @JMUWBasketball in Florida, incl. @JMU President Alger & family! #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/Ovcz6rMV61
— JMUSports (@JMUSports) December 20, 2015

NUMBERS OF NOTE

Ashley Perez became the 12^th player in the Kenny Brooks era to eclipse the 30-point mark and the second this season.
JMU and WVU traded the lead 17 times during the contest with six tie scores.
JMU's six second-quarter points were the fewest scored by the Dukes in a quarter this season.

UP NEXT
The Dukes have a quick turnaround with the final day of the Florida Sunshine Classic on tap for tomorrow evening. JMU takes on No. 4 Butler at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21. It is the Dukes' first game against a top-10 opponent since last year's San Juan Shootout in Puerto Rico (L, 80-64 vs. No. 10 Maryland).