JMU Falls 74-57 to Hofstra in CAA Quarterfinals

Saturday, March 7

Baltimore, Md.

2:30 p.m.

James Madison University

(19-13)

Hofstra

(20-12)

Hofstra

James Madison

3/7/2015 5:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. – Moussa Kone recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds to help fifth-seeded Hofstra defeat No. 4 James Madison, 74-57, in the Colonial Athletic Association quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Royal Farms Arena.

The Pride improved to 20-12 and advanced to Sunday's first semifinal game against top-seeded William & Mary while the Dukes fell to 19-13 on the season.

Kone shot 9-for-12 from the floor and brought down a game-best six offensive rebounds as he led four HU players in double figures. Ameen Tanksley finished with 16 points and three steals while Rokas Gustys and Juan'ya Green added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Hofstra shot 49.2 percent (31-63) from the floor, including a 55.6 percent (15-27) clip in the second half while limiting JMU to 37 percent (20-54) shooting as a team. The Pride outscored the Dukes 46-28 in the paint, 23-9 off turnovers and 25-12 in second-chance opportunities. Hofstra also controlled the glass 39-32, including 18-14 on the offensive glass.

Junior guard Ron Curry tied Kone for game-best honors as he accrued 18 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Dukes. The Second Team All-CAA member also reached a career milestone Saturday, becoming the 29th player in program history to join the 1,000-point club. With 1:25 left in the game, Curry was fouled and knocked down a pair of free throws for his final points of the afternoon, which put him at 1,001 career points.

Redshirt sophomore forward Dimitrije Cabarkapa tied his career high with 12 points, all in the first half, on 4-for-7 shooting. He also garnered six rebounds and a pair of 3-pointers. Junior guard Jackson Kent contributed seven points while sophomore forward Tom Vodanovich led the squad with seven rebounds.

Hofstra led 15-10 in the early going but Cabarkapa hit a couple threes to spark a 10-0 JMU run to put the Dukes ahead 20-15 with 11:16 remaining. The Pride answered quickly, surging ahead with a 12-0 run in just over two minutes to snag a 27-20 advantage with under eight minutes to play. After Madison cut it back to three, HU put together another big run, this time at 10-0 to go up by the largest margin at 37-24 with 3:20 to go. Curry got his offense, scoring five of his seven first-half points in the final three minutes to get JMU to within 39-33 at the half.

Hofstra upped the lead to 10 with four quick points to start the second half and never really allowed JMU to get into a groove, as they continued to control the pace of the game. Leading 56-47, a Kone dunk sparked an 11-2 run just less than four minutes to extend the advantage to 18, at 67-49 with 3:28 to go. JMU never drew closer than 14 down the stretch as Hofstra was able to avenge a regular-season sweep against JMU.

The Dukes will now await to find out if they are selected to either the College Basketball Invitational or the CollegeInsider.com Tournament. The field for both of those tournaments will be announced on Sunday, March 15.

MATT BRADY POSTGAME QUOTES:
"I have to give Hofstra all the credit in the world. They took it to us from the beginning. Their pressure defense in guarding our perimeter guys really set the tone for the game."

"I'm really proud of what this group has accomplished this season. We recognize what we have to get better at. We're certainly disappointed as a team and for the JMU community today."

"We're not where we need to be in a lot ways. [Hofstra] was really physical and that's not something we're good at facing yet. We'll be able to handle that next year."

"That's a good team (Hofstra) we just played and they played to their potential while we didn't. You're always disappointed in losing but we didn't play well today. We have a lot to work on to get better."