Dukes Denied at Buzzer at Drexel

Thursday, February 1

Philadelphia, Pa.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

6-18 (2-9CAA)

Drexel

10-14 (4-7CAA)

JAMES MADISON

DREXEL

2/1/2018 11:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score @JMUMBasketball Box Score 2017-18 MBB Schedule JMU MBB on Instagram

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - James Madison shot almost 60 percent from the floor in the second half on Thursday night, but could not hang on as Drexel blocked the game-tying layup at the buzzer to hand the Dukes a 76-74 Colonial Athletic Association Men's Basketball loss at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.

The Dukes (6-18, 2-9 CAA) outscored Drexel (10-14, 4-7 CAA) by six in the second half, forcing 10 turnovers after the break and scoring more than 50 second-half points for just the second time this season, but could not bounce back from an opening period that saw them shoot 30 percent (9-of-30) and miss all 10 three-pointers they took.

Freshman Matt Lewis racked up a game-high 26 points on the evening, matching his career high in a complete effort that saw him rack up six boards, four assists and four steals while committing just one turnover across 39 minutes. Junior Stuckey Mosley added 22 points, as the duo combined to go 13-of-20 from the field in the second half.

In the final 1:40, Lewis hit two game-tying layups to knot things at 72 and 74, but Drexel picked up a tough foul inside on its final possession and hit two free throws to take a 76-74 lead with less than six seconds left. The Dukes then got a good look on a game-tying drive before Drexel's Austin Williams' backside help enabled him to block the attempt as the horn sounded.

After going into the break trailing 30-22, the Dukes chipped away at the lead in the second half, using an 8-0 run to cut things to 42-41 before taking a 50-49 lead on Lewis' layup with 8:12 to play. From that point, there were four ties and three lead changes, with neither team ever leading by more than five.

QUOTING COACH ROWE
"I'm proud of the way we battled back, but we can't afford to open games the way we did and pick up road wins in this league. We're going to get back to work and make sure we come out with the fire we played with in the second half for 40 minutes."

QUICK HITS
- After Thursday's loss, nine of the Dukes' last 10 contests have been decided by single-digit points or in overtime.
- With junior Stuckey Mosley and freshman Matt Lewis scoring in double figures, the duo have now tallied 17 and 10 consecutive double-digit efforts, respectively.

UP NEXT
The Dukes return home for the first of two home games on Saturday, Feb. 3, when they play host to Towson at 4 p.m. for Duke Dog Reading Day. On Thursday, the Tigers edged Delaware to improve to 16-8 (6-5 CAA) and move into sole possession of fifth in the CAA.