Dukes' Comeback Comes Up Just Short at VCU

Tuesday, December 22

Richmond, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

3-3,0-0CAA

VCU

7-2,0-0Atlantic

James Madison

VCU

12/22/2020 8:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score @JMUMBasketball JMU MBB on Instagram Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. - James Madison nearly erased a 20-point deficit with 10 minutes to play on Tuesday evening, but the Dukes' comeback fell just short as VCU held on for an 82-81 victory in non-conference men's basketball action at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.

Senior guard Matt Lewis led the way for JMU (3-3) in the loss, coming up just shy of a triple-double as he racked up 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists while only turning the ball over twice against a relentless VCU (7-2) defense.

Junior Jalen Hodge added 15 points, as did sophomore Michael Christmas, who scored all 15 of his in the second half with five baskets on five shots and a perfect 3-for-3 performance from three.

The Dukes went down by as many as 21 in the opening half, struggling with turnovers and at the free throw line, but did not allow things to slip any further, holding the Rams to 27.3% (6-of-22) shooting from deep on the evening to stay on the edge of striking distance.

VCU would take a 69-49 lead with 9:58 to play before the Dukes began chipping away. Freshman Terrence Edwards immediately hit a three-pointer to kickstart a run before Christmas drilled all three of his second-half treys across just 2:40 as JMU ripped off a 16-3 tear that cut things to 77-74 with 1:30 to play.

The three-point deficit would be as close as JMU would get, as they continued to find baskets and stay within range while VCU hit a tightly-contested jumper and went 3-of-4 from the line in the final minute.

Guards Vince Williams and Nah'Shon Hyland each scored 15 points to lead the Rams, while Adrian Baldwin, Jr. tallied 10 assists to go with his eight points.

QUOTING COACH BYINGTON
"I really wanted that win for our guys. We're growing up and continually getting better and I was proud of our guys' effort. VCU has a culture that is known for playing really, really hard. I love the fact that I thought our guys played as hard as VCU today. We just didn't have enough plays that all added up to be able to get it at the end."

QUICK HITS
- Senior Matt Lewis scored 21 points on Tuesday, giving him 1,701 points for his career and tying him for the third-most in JMU history with Kent Culuko (1991-95). Sherman Dillard sits ahead in second place with 2,065 career points.
- Freshman Terrence Edwards tallied 10 points to go with three boards, three assists and a pair of steals.
- Lewis' 12 rebounds were his second double-digit performance of the year, just one shy of his career high.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will be off for the holidays and will be back in action in the new year, opening their Colonial Athletic Association slate with a trip to Towson on Sunday, Jan. 3, with tip scheduled for 1 p.m. Towson is currently 0-3 on the season, having not played since Friday, Nov. 27.