Dukes' Comeback Bid Cut Short, Fall 76-63 to Rutgers in Season Opener

Friday, November 10

Harrisonburg, Va.

7:30 p.m.

James Madison University

0-1

Rutgers

1-0

Rutgers

JMU

Dukes' Comeback Bid Cut Short, Fall 76-63 to Rutgers in Season Opener

11/10/2017 11:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball completed a 20-2 run to bridge the final two frames and pull within two after trailing by 21, but key Rutgers' free throws down the stretch cut the comeback short as the Dukes (0-1) fell to the Scarlet Knights (1-0) 76-63 in the season opener.

The 20-2 stretch included four steals to end the third quarter, all leading to points. Six Dukes finished the day with steals, including three each from seniors Tasia Butler and Hailee Barron.

Three Dukes finished in double figures, led by a career-high 23 points from sophomore Lexie Barrier. Butler and sophomore Kamiah Smalls each added 10 apiece.

BREAKING BARRIERS
Lexie Barrier scored a career-best 23 points in the outing, including a game-high three 3-pointers. Her previous mark of 22 came at Saint Joseph's on Dec. 28, 2016. Barrier has scored in double figures 10 times over her 36-game career at JMU.

BACK ON THE BLOCK
In her regular-season return to action, redshirt sophomore Kayla Cooper-Williams had a team-best 12 rebounds, adding eight points, a block and a steal over 28 minutes on the floor.

FIRST OFF THE BENCH

Redshirt sophomore Kelly Koshuta saw her first official action in a JMU jersey, seeing 11 minutes of playing time. She finished the night with four points and a rebound.
Freshman Breyenne Bellerand saw her first official collegiate action on Friday, coming in during the third quarter.

STILL OF THE NIGHT
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Full photo gallery available here.

ON THE BOARDS
Rutgers outrebounded JMU 48-34. This is the only time a JMU opponent has had more rebounds by double digits under Head Coach Sean O'Regan.

AT THE LINE
JMU went the free throw line 22 times, sinking 15 attempts led by four each from Butler and Barrier. The Scarlet Knights made 39 trips to the line, making 29, including a 12-of-14 showing by Tyler Scaife.

SERIES NOTES
With tonight's result, the overall series is evened to 1-1 between JMU and Rutgers. Last season in the first-ever meeting between the Dukes and Scarlet Knights, JMU came out on top 82-76 in a double overtime victory.

UP NEXT
JMU returns to the Convo on Sunday, Nov. 12 as the Dukes host Wagner at 2 p.m.