Late Surge Falls Short

Monday, November 30

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

1-1,0-0CAA

Buffalo

1-0,0-0MAC

Buffalo

James Madison

11/30/2020 7:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score @JMUWBasketball Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison was unable to complete a second half comeback and dropped an 80-64 decision to Buffalo in non-conference women's basketball action inside of the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Monday evening.

The Dukes (1-1) could not slow down the Bulls (1-0) in the first half as Buffalo shot a blistering 48.9 percent (22-of-45) including knocking down nine treys to create a gap that JMU could not fill.

Sophomore Kiki Jefferson paced the Dukes with 16 points, eight rebounds and a career-high tying four assists. Freshman Jamia Hazell continued to shine as she poured in 14 points on 7-of-13 (53.8 percent) shooting from the field while grabbing four rebounds and three steals.

Dyaisha Fair led the way for the Bulls pouring in 29 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals.

How It Happened
The Bulls came out firing to begin the ball game, taking a healthy 17-7 lead with 5:20 remaining to force the Dukes to call a timeout. JMU never got in a groove as the Dukes went into the second quarter trailing 33-11. Buffalo shot a thundering 60 percent (12-of-20) from the field including a 55.6-percent clip (5-of-9) from distance.

The second quarter was similar to the first as the Dukes were outscored 24-13, to trail 54-27 at the break. Coming out of half, JMU caught fire as it posted 27 points while holding Buffalo to just six points. The Dukes shot 66.7 percent (12-of-18) in the third while holding the Bulls to 10.5 percent (2-of-19).

Reducing the lead to 12 at the third of the third (63-51) JMU tried everything it could to complete the comeback but Buffalo would not let up and solidified the 80-64 win.

Quick Hits
- Jefferson posted her 15th career double-digit performance as she poured in 16 points
- Freshman Peyton McDaniel led the Dukes in rebounding with 10 boards
- Graduate student Anne Diouf dropped a career-high seven points on an efficient 3-of-5 (60 percent) from the field

Up Next
The Dukes hit the road for the first time this season when they travel to Charlottesville to take on Virginia on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Gallery: (11-30-2020) Dukes Battle Buffalo