Dukes Rout Delaware To Open CAA Play

Friday, January 4

Newark, Del.

7 P.M.

James Madison University

9-3, 1-0

Delaware

5-8, 0-1

James Madison

Delaware

1/4/2019 10:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – Junior forward Devon Merritt recorded a double-double in James Madison women's basketball's 68-43 victory at Delaware to open Colonial Athletic Association play.

Delaware (5-8, 0-1) opened the game with the lead, but behind Merritt's six points for JMU (9-3, 1-0) the Dukes were never far behind. Kamiah Smalls would complete a three-point play which set JMU's wheels in motion for an 8-0 run where it would never trail after that point.

JMU shot an impressive 47-percent (8-17) from the floor in the second quarter to take control of the game. Merritt would tie her career-high in points (14) in the frame, including a basket scored with less than a second on the clock. The Dukes would take what would be their largest lead at the time at the half, 39-21.

Following an exchange of baskets to open the third quarter, JMU went on a 7-0 run to take a 51-25 lead. The Dukes held the Blue Hens to six points in the frame to take a 26-point lead heading into the final quarter, 53-27.

While Delaware outscored the Dukes 16-15 in the final frame, it would not be enough as JMU held on to open CAA with a road victory 68-43.

DEVON'S DOUBLE

Merritt notched her third double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. She is the only JMU player with more than one. She is tied for second-most in the CAA with Ariel Colon (Elon), Jasmine Dickey (Delaware), Gabby Giacone (Northeastern) and Paige Powell (UNCW). They all trail Sica Cuzic of Hofstra who has four.

Merritt wasn't done playing the second quarter yet!! #GoDukes pic.twitter.com/NrA2egs2cJ
— JMU Women's Basketball (@JMUWBasketball) January 5, 2019

COOPER-WILLIAMS BLOCKS PARTY

Kayla Cooper-Williams now sits alone in third on the all-time blocks list with 169. She is just two rejections from tying Nikki Newman (171)

#nikkisaysno ... completely kidding lol I love it! https://t.co/gY6ABhgZAr
— Nikki Newman (@nikki30newman) January 5, 2019

GAME NOTES

Third straight season-opening CAA play with a victory
Cooper-Williams recorded 18 rebounds to tie her career-high and tie for 14^th most in a game by a JMU player
Merritt rejected a season-high three shots, swiped the ball twice and had her fourth game this season grabbing 10 rebounds
Logan Reynolds dished out a season-high seven assists and grabbed a season-high six rebounds
Third time this season allowing just one three-pointer made
JMU held Delaware to 10 points or under in two separate frames for the 13^th and 14^th time this season
The Dukes grabbed 59 rebounds for a new season-high, while Delaware only grabbed 44
This is the second time this season the Dukes have recorded 10 or more blocks in a game