Dukes Advance To Second Round With Win Over Aggies

Friday, March 22

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 P.M.

James Madison University

North Carolina A&T

3/22/2019 11:29:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – For the third straight year, James Madison women's basketball advances to the second round of the WNIT with a 48-37 win over North Carolina A&T. The Dukes improved to 26-5 on the season, which is their most wins in a season since 2015-16 when they won 27 (27-6).

The Dukes started off with business as usual in the Convocation Center holding North Carolina A&T (20-12) without a field goal in the opening 4 minutes. JMU went on a dry spell in the opening frame but were sparked back to life by Devon Merritt who had eight points in the first quarter. The Dukes forced seven turnovers in the opening frame and help a slim 13-12 lead over the Aggies.

Following a quick spurt from the Aggies who took a 14-13 lead, Logan Reynolds came down court with a layup to put the Dukes back in front, a lead they would not relinquish. The Dukes held North Carolina A&T to just four points in the frame as they ended the quarter on a 12-0 run to lead 29-16 at the break.

It was a slow start to the third quarter for both teams with North Carolina A&T attempting to make a comeback. Just like in the second quarter though, the Dukes' defense would stay strong and help pace their offense on an 8-0 run to lead 38-22 with just 10 minutes to play.

The Aggies started to chip away at the Dukes' lead with a 10-0 run to trail just, 40-32. However, the Dukes would not be caught and extended their home win streak to 28 games with a 48-37 win over North Carolina A&T.

GAME NOTES

Head Coach Sean O'Regan coached in his 100th game at the helm of JMU. He is just the sixth coach in program history to coach 100 games and has the second-best record through 100 games (75-25). He is behind the first head coach in JMU history Althea Loose Johnston who compiled a 77-22-1 record in her first 100 games.
Merritt was one rebound shy of a double-double as she led JMU with 15 points.
Jackie Benitez added 10 points, along with a game-high six steals
The marked the Dukes 28th straight home win, which is third-most in program history
Kayla Cooper-Williams grabbed 17 rebounds for the Dukes, she passed Kirby Burkholder for 10th most rebounds in a season with 304
She also now has 822 career rebounds and passed Michele James to sit in 7th All-Time.
Jackie Benitez tallied six steals which is the most in a JMU uniform for the red-shirt junior and was the most for a JMU player since Reynolds swiped the ball six times at the College of Charleston on Jan. 20, 2019.
Reynolds recorded one steal and is tied with Kirby Burkholder and Angela Mickens for 8th All-Time in steals (190). Benitez has 188 career steals.
The Dukes outrebounded North Carolina A&T 49-41
Cooper-Williams has 86 blocks on the season which tied Elena Delle Donne (Delaware) for 6th on the CAA blocks in a season list
The Dukes 194 blocks as a team on the season is third most of any CAA team in history and is just 8 from tying the school record (202).
The Dukes have held seven opponents under 40 points, which is the most in JMU's Division I era and ties the most since 1973-74 when they also did it seven times.
JMU's 15 wins in the Convocation Center this season is the most since 2011-12 when the Dukes won 16.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Coach O'Regan: "I thought let's keep em fresh. Even though I thought we played well enough it's different for me...I was trying to use the bench as much as possible. The bench made some big plays for us. I like where we're at."

Reynolds: "We had more time to prepare with some people out. We all know our assignments, we all know our roles."

Merritt: "I think everyone needs to step up and do a little extra. We're stepping up to help fill that stat line."

UP NEXT
The Dukes will be back in action at the Convocation Center this Sunday, March 24 at 6 p.m. when they host USF in the second round of the WNIT.

TICKET INFO - Purchase tickets here
The ticket office will be open Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Priority Deadlines for Season Ticket Holders to purchase same seats: Saturday at 5 p.m.

Ticket prices:
Reserved - $10
General Admission - $7
General Admission Youth (6-17), Senior (62+), and JMU Faculty/Staff - $5