JMU Wins Sixth Straight, Taking Down Delaware 75-55

Friday, January 29

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

13-5, 6-1CAA

Delaware

10-9, 5-3CAA

Delaware

JMU

1/29/2016 9:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball moved into the top spot in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 75-55 win over Delaware at the Convocation Center on Friday night. In their sixth straight win, the Dukes improved to 13-5 (6-1 CAA) while the Blue Hens fell to 10-9 (5-3 CAA).

JMU opened the game on a 13-0 run before Delaware hit a free throw to open their scoring. The Dukes held the Blue Hens scoreless from the field until the 5:39 mark in the first quarter. JMU finished the first half with 45 points, the third-highest first-half total this season, and led by as many as 25 points.

For the sixth time this season, four Dukes reached double-figure scoring, led by redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey with 23 points for her sixth consecutive game tallying 20 or more. Senior guard Angela Mickens recorded her first points-rebound double-double of the season with 12 points and a season-high 10 rebounds.

Junior forward Da'Lishia Griffin tallied her second career double-double at 12 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Hailee Barron rounded out the scoring with 12 points, her third consecutive game in double figures.

At the line, the Dukes shot better than 85 percent for the fifth time in 2015-16, hitting 85.7 percent of their attempts (14-16), including perfect performances from Gwathmey (5-5), Griffin (2-2) and freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams (2-2).

Defensively, Cooper-Williams set the JMU freshman record for blocks in a season with 38, denying a team-high two Delaware shots. Griffin and Gwathmey each added a block for the Dukes as well.

This is James Madison's sixth straight win against Delaware and 11th straight overall win at home. The Dukes return to the Convo on Sunday, Jan. 31, to face UNCW.

QUOTING HEAD COACH KENNY BROOKS (Full postgame here)
"I think that we have done here is created a brand of basketball that is fun to watch. Someone told me they didn't like to watch women's basketball and I told them maybe they are watching the wrong team because our team is fun."
Hear from the players in their postgame press conference here.

TWEET OF THE GAME

Great performance @JMUWBasketball. First place in the CAA. #PurpleNGold https://t.co/oA1GW2OHUf
— JmuDukes4Life (@JmuDukes4Life) January 30, 2016

CLIMBING THE CHARTS

Freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams set the JMU freshman blocks record with a pair of denials that pushed her career total to 38.
Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey moved into a tie for 15th place in both total games played (121) and total starts (105).
Gwathmey moved into a tie for 14th place in consecutive starts, matching Alisa Harris' streak of 71.

PLAY OF THE GAME

For full highlights click here.

ON STREAKS

JMU has won 11 straight games at the Convo, dating back to the 2014-15 season. This is the sixth time in Kenny Brooks' tenure that he has been a part of an 11+ home game win streak.
JMU has won six consecutive games against Delaware.
JMU has boasted 2,000 or more fans in 35 straight games at the Convo.
Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey has scored 20 or more points in six straight games as part of a nine-game stretch in double figures.
Sophomore guard Hailee Barron has scored in double figures in three straight contests.

PHOTO OF THE GAME

Athletics Facilities Coordinator for the Convocation Center, Willie Rexrode was recognized for his 37 years of service at James Madison University. He is retiring at the conclusion of this season.

GRAND SCHEME - CAA
The Dukes took hold of first place in the CAA standings with their victory over the Blue Hens and Hofstra's 67-64 loss at Drexel. Hofstra and Drexel are now tied for second place with 6-2 league records, while Elon and Delaware sit in a tie for fourth at 5-3. William & Mary (3-5), College of Charleston (2-5), Northeastern (2-6), UNCW (2-6) and Towson (2-6) round out the standings.

GRAND SCHEME - JMU ATHLETICS

Tonight's women's basketball victory was the 100th win for JMU sports teams this school year. Record a combined 100-44-6, 68.7% #GoDukes
— JMUSports (@JMUSports) January 30, 2016

UP NEXT
JMU wraps up a two-game homestand with UNCW on Sunday at 2 p.m. as the Dukes celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day and Girl Scout Day. The Seahawks are coming off a 53-51 win over Towson on Friday.