Dukes Pull Away In 80-50 Season-Opening Win

Friday, November 10

Harrisonburg, Va.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

1-0

Bridgewater

0-0

Bridgewater

James Madison

11/10/2017 9:24:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score @JMUMBasketball 2017-18 Schedule Photo Gallery Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Junior guard Stuckey Mosley racked up 22 points in his James Madison debut on Friday evening, as the Dukes cruised to an 80-50 season-opening win over Bridgewater in non-conference men's basketball action at the JMU Convocation Center.

The Dukes, who opened their season 1-0 for the second time in three years, stifled Bridgewater throughout, holding the Eagles to just 29.5 percent (18-of-61) shooting on the evening, including a 5-of-25 (20 percent) clip from behind the arc. JMU also dominated the rebounding battle, pulling down 53 boards to Bridgewater's 30.

The victory marked the Dukes' largest margin of victory under Head Coach Louis Rowe and their biggest since a 106-74 win over Eastern Mennonite on Nov. 24, 2015. Mosley led all scorers in his first game as a Duke, going 8-of-14 from the field and hitting four of his eight three-pointers while pulling down four rebounds.

Senior guard Joey McLean stuffed the stat sheet in the season-opener, tallying 14 points to go along with five boards, two assists, two steals and a block, while freshman guard Matt Lewis opened his collegiate career with 14 points of his own.

After the Eagles took their final lead of the night on a three-pointer with 6:18 to play before halftime, the Dukes ripped off a 19-4 run into halftime that put JMU up 40-26 at the break. The Dukes then opened the second half on a 12-2 run that put the game out of reach at 52-28 with 15:38 to play.

Sophomore Gerron Scissum made his JMU debut in style, tallying nine points and seven boards in just 19 minutes, while junior DeVelle Phillips and freshman Dwight Wilson each grabbed seven rebounds of their own.

QUOTING COACH ROWE
"It's always good to start the season with a win. We had to get some things figured out in the first half, but I'm proud of how the guys responded. We have a lot to work on, especially on defense and on the glass, so we're looking forward to getting back to work and prepare for a really tough game on Monday."

PLAY OF THE GAME

HIGHLIGHT | Matt Lewis comes all the way from the arc to FLUSH home the tip slam and put the Dukes up, 56-32! pic.twitter.com/mQQRLvu4LB
— JMU Men's Basketball (@JMUMBasketball) November 10, 2017

Freshman guard Matt Lewis came all the way from the three-point line midway through the second half to slam home this rebound and put the Dukes up, 56-32.

UP NEXT
The Dukes remain at home on the other side of the weekend, as they welcome in-state rival Old Dominion to the Convocation Center on Monday, November 13, for a 7 p.m. contest. On Friday, the Monarchs opened their season with a 57-54 home win over Colonial Athletic Association foe Towson in Norfolk, Va.