Fourth-Quarter Surge Falls Just Short as JMU Drops 60-57 Decision to Villanova

Friday, November 24

Burlington, Vt.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

1-4

Villanova

4-0

James Madison

Villanova

Fourth-Quarter Surge Falls Just Short as JMU Drops 60-57 Decision to Villanova

11/24/2017 11:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BURLINGTON, Vt. – A fourth-quarter surge by James Madison women's basketball came up just short at the TD Bank Classic as the Dukes (1-4) fell 60-57 to Villanova (4-0) on day one of the tournament.

JMU worked its way back from a 14-point deficit, pulling to within three (55-52) with 3:28 left to play after Kamiah Smalls made a steal and drained a 3-pointer to cap a 10-0 run. A block by Tasia Butler on the defensive end gave JMU possession with just over three minutes left, but the attempted layup rimmed out and fell into VU hands.

After a pair of Wildcat free throws made it a five-point game (57-52), the teams traded empty possessions over the next minute of play until the Dukes were able to find Kelly Koshuta for the layup, once again cutting it to a one-possession game. VU found its way to the three-throw line again, but Hailee Barron drained a 3-pointer to cut the Wildcat lead to two with 32 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing inbounds, JMU battled to force a Villanova turnover, but Smalls was called for her fifth foul, sending the Wildcats to the line. Sinking the first of two, Butler pulled down the defensive rebound to set the Dukes up for a final possession. Koshuta attempted two 3-pointers to tie the game, but could not find the net.

JMU had a chance at a final tip-in after a foul call against VU, but the inbounds pass to Devon Merritt was a bit too high and the Dukes were unable to get one final attempt.

DOUBLE-DIGIT SCORING
JMU was led by Kamiah Smalls' 17 points, her fifth consecutive double-digit scoring game. Kelly Koshuta joined her in double figures at 15 points, her third double-digit scoring performance this season.

FACTS AND FIGURES

JMU led by as many as four points early in the second quarter.
VU outscored JMU 21-9 in the second quarter, including a 13-5 run that gave the Wildcats a 10-point advantage at the half (33-23).
The Wildcats led by as many as 14 points in the contest (0:34, 3Q).
The Dukes won the rebounding battle 42-34, including a season-high nine by Tasia Butler.

CONSISTENT ON THE FLOOR
Senior Hailee Barron played in her 106th consecutive game, passing Sue Manelski for the 14th-longest streak in JMU history. She needs to appear in the next nine games to crack the top 10.

UP NEXT
JMU wraps up the TD Bank Classic on Saturday, Nov. 25 with a 5 p.m. game against Vermont.