Perez Propels #1 JMU to 53-50 Win over #8 CofC in CAA Quarterfinals

Thursday, March 10

Show Place Arena, Upper Marlboro, Md.

Noon

James Madison University

25-5

College of Charleston

11-20

#8 Charleston

#1 James Madison

Ashley Perez vs Charleston at 2016 CAA Semifinals

Perez Propels #1 JMU to 53-50 Win over #8 CofC in CAA Quarterfinals

3/10/2016 3:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - Senior guard Ashley Perez scored the 3-point dagger from the corner as top-seeded James Madison outlasted eighth-seeded College of Charleston, 53-50, in the 2016 Colonial Athletic Association quarterfinals.

The Dukes trailed by four with 1:18 on the clock when Perez was sent to the free throw line after being fouled on an attempt from beyond the arc. She converted all three attempts, pulling the Dukes to within one (50-49) as JMU called a timeout.

Coming out of the stoppage, the Dukes pressed the Cougars full court and capitalized on a double team by Perez and redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey, poking the ball out of Nola Henry's hands and right into the clutches of senior point guard Angela Mickens at half court. Mickens quickly found an open Perez in the corner, who drained the shot that gave JMU its first lead since the 9:18 mark of the first quarter.

Both CofC and JMU had missed opportunities over the next minute, setting Charleston up for a final shot attempt with nine seconds left on the clock. The Dukes' defense, however, swarmed the Cougars on the inbounds, and Gwathmey tipped the ball away in favor of the purple and gold. Perez converted one-of-two free-throw attempts on the ensuing possession for a 53-50 JMU lead, capping an 8-0 run by the Dukes. Charleston's 3-point attempt at the buzzer fell short, solidifying the JMU victory.

Perez scored the final seven points en route to her first double-double at JMU, finishing with 21 points and a season-high 11 rebounds. Gwathmey joined her at double-double status with 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks and three steals over 39 minutes on the floor.

Mickens rounded out the double-digit scorers for JMU with 11 points as the Dukes shot 27.9 percent (17-61) from the floor and 75.0 percent (15-20) from the line. Charleston shot 32.1 percent (17-53) overall, but converted just 57.1 percent (12-21) attempts from the charity stripe.

Freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds to lead the Dukes to a 52-32 advantage on the boards. She also blocked two shots, pushing her season total to 65, just one off the JMU single-season record (66 - Lauren Whitehurst).

This marked JMU's fourth double-digit comeback victory of the season as the Dukes trailed by as many as 14 points after Charleston closed the first frame on an 18-3 run. JMU slowly chipped away at the CofC lead, pulling to within two points just out of halftime (27-2), but the Cougars pushed back out to a seven-point lead late in the third quarter.

JMU bridged the third and fourth frames with a 9-1 run, tying the game for the first time since the opening quarter's 9:01 mark. A 7-0 spurt from Charleston, however, forced the Dukes into a timeout as they trailed 46-39 with 5:36 left in regulation. They closed the game on a 14-4 run to secure the win.

The top-seeded Dukes (25-5) extended their win streak to 18 straight games and now head to the CAA semifinals for the 12^th straight year. They will face fifth-seeded Delaware on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

QUOTING HEAD COACH KENNY BROOKS
"I thought we came through and all three of these kids (Mickens, Gwathmey, Perez) were really good for us throughout the game. Ashley did a very good job of getting us over a hump and making some key baskets and key stops."
For full postgame interview, visit here.

PLAY OF THE GAME
For full game highlights, visit here.

PEREZ PILES IT ON

Ashley Perez had her first double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds.
Her 11 rebounds is a season high.
Perez tied a season high with three steals.

TWEET OF THE GAME

March. #CAAHoops #ncaaW pic.twitter.com/g0X0HO7l8Y
- CAA Basketball (@CAABasketball) March 10, 2016

CAA TOURNAMENT FACTS

JMU is now 23-4 in CAA quarterfinal games.
JMU has reached the CAA semifinal round for the 12^th straight year. This will be the Dukes' 28^th trip to the CAA semifinals in the league's 32-year history.
JMU is 1-0 against College of Charleston in CAA tournament games.

PHOTO OF THE GAME

For full gallery, visit here.

CHARTED WATERS

Freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams pushed her season blocks total to 65, just one shy of tying the JMU single-season record of 66 set by Lauren Whitehurst in 2011-12.
Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey moved into seventh on the single-season scoring chart at 619 points. She is 10^th on the all-time JMU scorers chart with 1,492 career points. Ninth place is held by Shanna Price (1,496) and eighth place is held by teammate Precious hall (1,506).
Junior forward Da'Lishia Griffin moved into a tie for 10^th in JMU single-season scoring (282) with former teammate Nikki Newman.
Senior point guard Angela Mickens' five assists pushed her to 205 for the season (3^rd) and 647 for her career. The all-time record for career assists is 670, set by Jess Cichowicz.

UP NEXT
JMU heads to the CAA semifinals and will face No. 5 Delaware. JMU is 4-1 all-time against UD in the CAA tournament, including a 2-1 mark in the semifinal round. The Dukes tipoff at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 11 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md.