Jefferson Powers Dukes Past George Washington

Wednesday, December 9

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

4-1,0-0CAA

George Washington

2-2,0-0Atlantic 10

George Washington

James Madison

12/9/2020 7:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score @JMUWBasketball Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Sophomore Kiki Jefferson scored a career- and game-high 23 points to lead James Madison women's basketball over George Washington, 79-69 in non-conference play on Wednesday evening in the Atlantic Union Bank Center.

After struggling to find a rhythm on both ends of the court in the first quarter, The Dukes (4-1) settled down and finished the game shooting 44.8 percent (26-of-58) from the field while limiting the Colonials (2-2) to a 35.6 percent (21-of-59) clip.

Jefferson only needed nine shots (6-of-9, 66.7 percent) on her career night, hitting two treys and making 9-of-10 free throws. The sophomore added three assists and three steals to her stat line, both of which are game highs while also securing two rebounds.

Freshman Peyton McDaniel continued her hot streak of scoring as she posted 19 points on an efficient 8-of-14 (57.1 percent) shooting from the floor to go along with four rebounds, a steal and one assist. Classmate Jamia Hazell registered her fifth consecutive double-digit performance with 11 points, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe with a season-high tying five rebounds and two steals.

Ali Brigham led the way for GW with 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot.

How It Happened
Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the first quarter as each team only made three field goals. The Colonials were able to cash in a few extra buckets at the free throw line in order to take a tight 11-9 lead after one.

The Dukes switched gears in the middle quarters as they scored 26 points in the second and 28 points in the third to outscore GW 54-39 over those two periods to take a commanding 63-50 lead heading into the final frame.

JMU shot 54.8 percent (17-of-31) from the floor during that stretch including a blistering 50 percent (4-of-8) from distance. GW tried to muster a couple of runs in the fourth but the gap was too much, allowing the Dukes to earn a 79-69 victory.

Quick Hits
- With the win, the Dukes increased their win streak against GW to four games and remain unbeaten at home with a 6-0 record
- Graduate student Anne Diouf flirted with a double double once again as she posted a career-high tying nine points and a career- and game-high 13 rebounds
- JMU cashed out at the charity stripe, sinking a season-high 22 free throws on 88 percent (22-of-25) shooting

Up Next
JMU is set to play its final currently-scheduled non-conference game of the season on Sunday, Dec. 13 against RV/RV West Virginia. Tip is set for 6 p.m. in Morgantown, W.V. with the game broadcast live on ESPN+.

Gallery: (12-9-2020) Dukes Down George Washington