Dukes Win 10th Straight With Victory Over Tribe

Sunday, February 24

Williamsburg, Va.

2 P.M.

James Madison University

22-4

William & Mary

12-13

James Madison

William & Mary

2/24/2019 4:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball rolled to its 10^th straight win in a 78-65 victory over William & Mary. The Dukes improved to 22-4 overall and 14-1 in league play, while the Tribe dropped to 12-13, 5-9 CAA.

After William & Mary scored the first basket of the game, the Dukes put together a 7-0 run to lead it, they would never trail after that point. The Dukes hit four of six down the stretch to jump out to a 17-9 lead. The Tribe wouldn't be fair behind hitting shots late to trail 19-14 after the first quarter. Lexie Barrier and Kamiah Smalls combined for 10 of the Dukes points, both with five apiece.

Behind back-to-back treys from Jackie Benitez, JMU would piece together a 13-0 run to lead 38-24 late in the second quarter. Benitez hit four from behind the arc in the quarter to propel the Dukes. JMU shot 58.3% from the field in the frame to lead 44-31 at the break. The Dukes hit eight treys' in the first half, to tie the most in program history hit in the first half.

The two league foes exchanged baskets to begin the second half, but after hitting six straight from the free-throw line the Dukes led it 56-39. In the frame, JMU would go 7-7 from the charity stripe and lead 62-48 with one quarter to play.

William & Mary began a comeback opening the fourth quarter on a 7-2 run. The Tribe then found themselves on an 11-0 run to trail just 73-61. The Dukes would not let up and pulled away with the victory 78-65 in Williamsburg.

GAME NOTES

JMU tied the program record for three's made in the first half with 8. They have tied that record one other time this season (against Northeastern)
The Dukes 25 points scored in the second quarter tied their most in the frame (scored 25 against Northeastern)
Benitez's six three's is the most by a player since Tori Harris hit five against Delaware State (11/13/18)
JMU scored 11 from behind the arc, the fifth time this season scoring 10 or more from three-point range
The Dukes 10-straight wins is the most since last season when they compiled an 11-game win streak
This marked the second-straight regular season sweep of the Tribe
In the past two games, Devon Merritt has gone 9-10 from the field. She was a perfect 8-8 until the fourth quarter
Jackie Benitez led the Dukes with 21 points, her most of the season
Kamiah Smalls added 17 points, while Lexie Barrier and Devon Merritt scored 11 a piece