Smalls Sparks Dukes to Gritty Win

Sunday, February 17

Harrisonburg, VA.

2 P.M.

James Madison University

20-4, 12-1CAA

UNCW

15-9, 8-5CAA

UNCW

James Madison

2/17/2019 5:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Gallery Highlights

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball picked up its 12^th league victory of the season on Sunday, defeating UNCW 58-51 inside the Convocation Center. The Dukes improved to 20-4 on the season and 12-1 in CAA play. UNCW falls to 15-9 on the season and 8-5 in league play.

Kamiah Smalls, who finished with 24 points, made five from the charity stripe down the stretch to give the Dukes the 58-51 victory over the Seahawks. After trailing 41-39 after the third quarter, the Dukes were able to go ahead and take the lead following a Logan Reynolds steal that put her at the free throw line. JMU hit nine from the charity stripe in the final frame and held UNCW to just one field goal to extend its active home win streak to 25-games.

After leading 27-25 at halftime, marking just the fifth time this season the Dukes trailed at the half, JMU extended a run from the second quarter to lead it 29-27, but the game that consisted of nine ties and six lead changes would go back in the hands of the Seahawks. Both teams rattled off 14 points in the third quarter, which left UNCW ahead 41-39 after three played.

Wilmington rattled off a 6-0 run to take a 20-13 lead, which was halted by a Smalls layup. The Dukes continued to battle on the defensive end and head into the locker room trailing the Seahawks. While the Dukes started off the game on a 5-0 run, UNCW rattled off a 12-0 of its own. But as it would prove to be the theme of the game the Dukes came right back into it and trailed by just one point, 14-13 after the opening frame.

GAME NOTES

Kayla Cooper-Williams owns the blocks in a season by a junior with 58
The 26^th consecutive game with Smalls scoring 10-plus points, it was her 10^th career game scoring at least 20
Devon Merritt had a game-high 10 rebounds, her fifth time this season grabbing at least 10
The Dukes 24 offensive rebounds were a season-high
JMU is on a 25-game home win streak
JMU allowed just one field goal in the fourth quarter
The Dukes are on a eight-game win streak, their longest of the season and most since last season (11)

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"I was behind her so I had an opportunity to make a play for my team and I did it" – Logan Reynolds (on her steal that led to free throws that started the Dukes run down the stretch)

"I think the atmosphere was amazing. They're always great. The fans, the band is always amazing so it's honestly a blessing to play here… For us to be able to come in every game knowing we're going to have this atmosphere. They do a lot for us without being on the floor" – Lexie Barrier

"Good win, not a pretty win. I thought Wilmington did a great job through the first half. We were good down the stretch and that's a good sign moving forward. It's a good wound exposed. We certainly set high expectations for playing at the Convo that we're going to win by 30 and that's just not realistic...I'm proud of them but we just have to get a lot better" – Coach O'Regan

UP NEXT
JMU travels to take on Elon in Elon, N.C. on Friday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.