Dukes Drop Heartbreaker to Hofstra in CAA Quarterfinals

Thursday, March 14

Newark, Del.

Noon

James Madison University

25-5

Hofstra

11-21

Hofstra

James Madison

3/14/2019 3:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Gallery

NEWARK, Del. – Following a 41-24 second half run from Hofstra, James Madison women's basketball fell 57-50 in the CAA Quarterfinals. The Dukes are now 24-5 in quarterfinal games.

In a back-and-forth game, Jackie Benitez led the Dukes (25-5) on a 5-0 run to start the game. Logan Reynolds swiped the ball twice to tie ninth all-time in steals. It would be a slow quarter for both squads but JMU would take a slim 10-8 lead.

Devon Merritt began a quick run for the Dukes in the second frame with four points. JMU would continue to battle and outscored the Pride (11-21) 16-8 in the second quarter to lead 26-16 at halftime. The Dukes held Boogie Brozoski to 0-6 shooting from the field in the opening frame after she scored a single-game CAA Tournament record with 41 points against Elon.

Hofstra came out of the locker room on a 16-2 to run to lead it 32-28 midway through the frame. The Pride held JMU to just six points in the quarter but only led by five, 37-32, with one quarter to play.

The fourth quarter would prove to be a battle between the two teams fighting to advance to the semifinals. JMU took the lead 40-39 with just under five minutes to play. Just like that, Hofstra took the lead back 43-42 with just over three minutes to play. Aneah Young, who finished with a career high 11 points, hit two free throws to put JMU back in front, 44-43, with 2:30 remaining. Ana Hernandez Gil, who finished with nine points for the Pride hit a three to put Hofstra back in front, a lead they would not relinquish. The Dukes continued to fight but Hofstra would take the win 57-50.

GAME NOTES

Logan Reynolds is in sole possession of ninth all-time in steals
Kayla Cooper-Williams' 85 blocks this season is one shy of 7^th most in a season by a CAA player (Tiffany Benson – William and Mary)
JMU has tallied 189 blocks on the season thus far which is sixth most for a team in CAA history. It is two shy of No. 5 William and Mary (191)
Devon Merritt led the Dukes for the second time the season with 15 points
Jackie Benitez added 12 points, while Aneah Young chipped in 11 for a career high
Kayla Cooper-Williams recorded 12 rebounds for a team-high