Dukes Hold On For Hard-Fought Victory at Virginia

Thursday, December 3

Charlottesville, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

2-1,0-0CAA

Virginia

0-3,0-0ACC

James Madison

Virginia

12/3/2020 10:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score @JMUWBasketball Box Score (PDF)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – James Madison used a dominant second quarter and held off a fourth-quarter charge from Virginia to earn a hard-fought 71-67 non-conference women's basketball win inside of John Paul Jones Arena on Thursday night.

The Dukes (2-1) used a lot of help in the game from their second unit as JMU's bench poured in 30 points while the Cavaliers' (0-3) bench posted 15. Additionally, the Dukes grabbed 20 offensive rebounds to provide 15 second-chance points in crucial moments of the game.

Freshman Jamia Hazell paced JMU with 16 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting (66.7 percent) including a blistering 80 percent clip (4-of-5) from long distance. Sophomore Kiki Jefferson followed behind with 16 points on 50 percent shooting (5-of-10) to go along with eight rebounds, a career-high tying four assists and a steal.

Freshman Steph Ouderkirk posted her first double-digit performance of her young career as she put up 10 points, knocking down 2-of-3 three-pointers to go along with four rebounds and an assist. The Cavaliers were led by Amandine Toi who scored a career- and game-high 17 points.

How It Happened
The Dukes failed to find a rhythm early in the opening frame but battled back near the end to trail 13-12. The second quarter was a completely different story as the Dukes caught fire and shot 60 percent (9-of-15) from the field and a thundering 50 percent (4-of-8) from three-point land.

Hazell finished the second quarter on a solo 6-0 run that capped a 15-2 JMU run to take a nice 34-26 lead into half. JMU carried its momentum right before half into the third as the Dukes made 11 of their 15 shots (73.3 percent) including a stretch of eight consecutive shots made over a four-minute period (8:25-4:01) to lead 59-48 at the end of the third.

The fourth quarter seemed like it was all Virginia as the Cavaliers posted multiple small runs to bring the score to 68-64 with 49 seconds remaining. After stellar defense from the Cavaliers, Jefferson received an inbound pass with two seconds remaining on the shot clock and made a tough layup to give the Dukes a 70-64 lead with 23 seconds remaining.

Virginia answered with a three-pointer to trail 70-67 with seven seconds on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Jefferson was fouled and made the second free throw to increase JMU's lead to four (71-67) with four seconds left. Virginia tried to get the ball in for a last-second attempt but made a bad pass that gave JMU the victory.

Quick Hits
- Graduate student Anne Diouf flirted with a double-double as she posted nine points and 10 rebounds, both of which are career highs
- Junior Brianna Tinsley returned to her former school and showed out by posting a career-high six assists while dropping nine points and grabbing three rebounds
- With tonight's win, the Dukes have won three of the last four meetings against Virginia

Up Next
JMU returns home to the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Sunday to take on another in-state foe George Mason. Tip is set for 2 p.m. with the game televised on NBC Sports Washington.