Tucker Shines in Season Opener

Wednesday, November 25

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

1-0,0-0CAA

Mount St. Mary's

0-1,0-0NEC

Mount St. Mary's

James Madison

11/25/2020 8:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score @JMUWBasketball Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Sophomore Rayne Tucker posted a dominant double-double to lead James Madison women's basketball past Mount St. Mary's, 69-55 in both teams' non-conference season opener inside the brand-new Atlantic Union Bank Center on Wednesday evening.

The Dukes (1-0) shot 43.3 percent (26-of-60) from the field while limiting the Mountaineers (0-1) to a 27.9 field goal percentage (19-of-68) which included zero fast break points.

Tucker found a rhythm early that allowed her to achieve her second double-double of her young career with a career-high 16 points (8-of-13) and a career-high 18 rebounds. Tucker added three blocks and a steal to her stat line.

Freshman Jamia Hazell balled out in her freshman debut with a game-high 18 points along with five rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Kiki Jefferson battled early foul trouble but still poured in 12 points and eight boards while junior Madison Green added 11 points.

How It Happened
After trailing 14-12 at the end of the first, Mount St. Mary's scored immediately in the second to tie the game. The Dukes traded buckets with the Mount to hold a tight 18-16 lead (8:14, 2Q) before going on a 9-0 run to earn a healthy 27-16 lead, forcing the Mountaineers to call a timeout.

JMU held onto that lead, entering the break up 29-22. Both teams came out the break firing buckets as the Dukes only scored one more point in the third quarter than the Mount to hold their eight-point lead (47-39) after three. JMU controlled the momentum in the fourth, putting up 22 points to earn a season-opening 69-55 win.

Quick Hits
- Tucker's 18 rebounds ties for the 14th-most in a single game by a JMU player in program history
- The opening day win marks the third consecutive season-opening win for the Dukes
- Freshman Peyton McDaniel recorded a game-high four steals
- Including last season, the Dukes are currently on a 10-game winning streak

Up Next
JMU remains at home for a bout against Buffalo on Monday at 4 p.m.

Gallery: (11-25-2020) JMU Pushes Past Mount St. Mary's