JMU Surges in Second Half for 59-55 Win at Drexel

Friday, February 12

Philadelphia, Pa.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

17-5, 10-1

Drexel

12-11, 8-4

James Madison

Drexel

2/12/2016 9:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – James Madison women's basketball erased an 18-point deficit, its largest ever under Head Coach Kenny Brooks, to win 59-55 at Drexel on Friday night. The Dukes stretched their win streak to 10 straight games, improving to 17-5 overall and 10-1 against Colonial Athletic Association opponents. The Dragons fell to 12-11 with an 8-4 mark in league play.

Trailing 36-24 at halftime, the Dukes opened the third quarter on a 12-3 run to cut the Dragons' lead to a single possession for the first time since the five-minute mark of the first frame. JMU continued to chip away at the Drexel lead before an 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter pushed the Dukes ahead by two (49-47) with 4:52 to play.

The Dragons tied the game three times over the fourth quarter before redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey gave JMU the lead for good. She sank a pair of free throws after a technical foul was assessed to the Drexel bench and followed up with a 3-point dagger on the ensuing possession to cap a personal 9-0 run.

Gwathmey finished with 19 points, including 17 in the second half, to push her double-digit streak to 13 games. She also blocked three Drexel shots to surpass former teammate Lauren Okafor (JMU '15) for third on the all-time blocks list at 158 career blocked shots.

Senior point guard Angela Mickens led the first-half offense with six points before scoring seven in the third quarter. She finished the day with 15 points, the only other Duke in double figures. As a team, JMU shot 42.0 percent (21-50) with a 48.0-percent mark over the second frame. Drexel, which shot 53.6 percent in the first half (15-28), was limited to 26.9 percent shooting over the second half (7-26) to finish the day at 40.7 percent.

Junior forward Da'Lishia Griffin stood tall in the post, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds for her second straight double-figure performance on the boards.

After the Dukes tallied the opening bucket, they were unable to score for over four minutes while the Dragons went on a 6-0 run. A jumper from Gwathmey, her only first-half points, got the Dukes back on the board.

Drexel followed with an 18-3 run to bridge the first two frames while the Dukes were scoreless over a 6:33 stretch from the first quarter to the second. JMU trailed by as many as 18 points in the second quarter (5:09), but was able to close the gap to 14 (36-24) heading into halftime after a bucket in the paint from freshman Kayla Cooper-Williams at the buzzer.

The Dukes are home on Sunday, Feb. 14 for a 1 p.m. game against Hofstra, which will be broadcast on the American Sports Network. Sunday is the first Duke Dog Reading Day of the season, so large crowds are expected. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as doors will open at 11:30 a.m.

NUMBERS OF NOTE

The 18-point deficit the Dukes erased is the largest in the Kenny Brooks' era.
JMU's 24 first-half points were the fewest the Dukes have scored over the first 20 minutes in a CAA game this season.
Drexel's 36 first-half points were the most the Dukes have allowed in CAA play and the second-most all season (UCLA – 55pts).
The Dukes' 59 total points are tied for their lowest mark of the CAA season (59 points at William & Mary).

TWEET OF THE DAY

10-game win streak for @JMUWBasketball now 10th-longest in nation, move into top 50 RPI after Drexel win
— Kevin Warner (@KevinAWarner) February 13, 2016

STREAKS ON STREAKS

JMU has won 10 straight games.
The Dukes have won seven consecutive games against the Dragons.
Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey has scored in double figures for 13 straight games.

ON THE CHARTS

Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey moved into third on the all-time blocks list at 158.
Gwathmey moved into a tie for 11th in both career games played (124) and career games started (109).
Senior point guard Angela Mickens has 599 career assists, just seven away from taking second place from Andrea Benvenuto (606).

THE CAA
JMU maintained its 1.5-game lead in the CAA standings. Hofstra, with a 61-53 win at William & Mary, held onto second place (9-3) while Drexel dropped into a tie for third place with Elon (8-4). Delaware is fifth at 7-5.

UP NEXT
The Dukes are heading home for a three-game stay at the Convo, beginning with Hofstra at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 14. Sunday's contest is the first Duke Dog Reading game of the season, so large crowds are expected, and fans are encouraged to arrive early. Parking information can be found here. The game will also be broadcast on ASN.