Falden Tip Caps Dukes' Comeback Win over Eastern Kentucky

Tuesday, November 16

Richmond, Ky.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

3-0,0-0CAA

Eastern Kentucky

3-1,0-0ASUN

James Madison

Eastern Ky.

Falden Tip Caps Dukes' Comeback Win over Eastern Kentucky

11/16/2021 10:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison guard Charles Falden tipped in a rebound with 6.1 seconds left on Tuesday evening, lifting the Dukes to a massive 79-78 victory over Eastern Kentucky in non-conference men's basketball at McBrayer Arena.

The Dukes, who moved to 3-0 on the season, led for just one minute of the contest, but made plays down the stretch and bounced back from an early blitz to hold EKU (3-1) to 34.3% shooting (12-of-35) in the second half to erase a double-digit deficit.

Junior guard Vado Morse led the Dukes' offense with 20 points and five boards, while sophomore forward Julien Wooden added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Falden grabbed 10 points himself, with the final two providing the victory. After a JMU turnover with 16 seconds left, the Colonels threw away the ensuing inbound pass. Falden jumped on loose ball and found Morse, then cut to the hoop, rebounded the miss and laid in the winner.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
EKU came out hot, shooting 45.7% from the field and 47.1% from three in the opening half to stretch out leads of 10 on three different occasions. The Dukes battled back throughout, cutting the margin to as small as 39-37 with 2:49 to play before the break.

However, the Colonels would respond to each push with a basket of their own, using an 8-3 run to close the half at 47-40.

Second Half
The Dukes didn't lead in the second half until the final seconds, as EKU quickly pushed the advantage out to 61-51 with 14:38 to play. Again, JMU would chip away, finally tying things up at 75-75 with 3:06 left.

After a final NKU three-pointer and two big free throws from Morse made it 78-77, the Dukes would miss a go-ahead chance with less than 30 seconds left, but the Colonels immediately missed the front end of a 1-and-1 opportunity.

JMU would turn the ball over on an offensive foul, but the ensuing errant pass from EKU gave Falden the chance to put the Dukes up for good with less than 10 seconds to play.

QUICK HITS
- Morse's 20 points were a season high for him and his third 20-point effort in his last five games dating back to last season.

UP NEXT
The Dukes return home to renew another historic rivalry on Friday, Nov. 19, as they welcome George Mason to the Atlantic Union Bank Center for a crucial non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. The Patriots are currently 3-0 on the season, with a matchup at No. 20 Maryland scheduled for Wednesday evening.