Dukes Drop Overtime Thriller to First Place Delaware

Saturday, February 20

Harrisonburg, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

11-8,7-5CAA

Delaware

17-2,14-1CAA

OT 1

Delaware

James Madison

2/20/2021 9:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score @JMUWBasketball Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball gave everything it had going up against a tough Delaware squad but could not hold on and dropped a 94-88 overtime decision in Colonial Athletic Association play at the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Saturday night.

The Dukes (11-8, 7-5 CAA) battled back from being down 10 points in the fourth (60-70, 8:25) to eventually take the lead but the Blue Hens (17-2, 14-1 CAA) showed why they sit atop the CAA and outlasted JMU to break the Dukes' 16-game winning streak over them.

Sophomore Rayne Tucker posted a phenomenal performance by putting up her fourth double-double of her career in a career-high 26 points on an efficient 12-of-18 (66.7 percent) shooting from the field with a game-high 10 rebounds.

Classmate Kiki Jefferson followed behind Tucker nearly securing a double-double in 20 points and nine rebounds to go along with a pair of assists and two steals. Junior Madison Green dropped 11 points on 50 percent shooting from deep (3-of-6) while freshman Jamia Hazell posted 10.

How It Happened
After coming out of halftime with a 40-37 lead, the Dukes continue to put pressure on Delaware but the Blue Hens responded well by knocking down 10-of-20 shots (50%) including four three-pointers to outscore JMU 26-18 to take a 63-58 lead into the final frame.

What seemed to be over for the Dukes as they trailed by 10 points with a little over eight minutes remaining in the fourth, JMU posted a 13-2 run to regain the lead at 73-72 with 3:23 remaining. Delaware went cold until the 25-second mark when it hit a mid-range jumper followed by a three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to tie the game at 79.

In overtime, the Dukes could not find a consistent offensive rhythm as Delaware carried its late push into the final frame to win the first leg of the weekend series, 94-88.

Quick Hits
- Junior Briana Tinsley posted a nice stat line with seven points on perfect shooting (2-2 FG, 1-1 3FG, 2-2 FT) with a game-high six assists which ties her career high
- The Dukes controlled the paint as they outscored Delaware, 40-28 near the basket
- Tonight's loss to the Blue Hens marks the first time this feat occured in head coach Sean O'Regan's tenure (8-1)

Up Next
JMU will close out its home slate with a Senior Day matchup against Delaware on Sunday. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. with the game televised live on MyValley and broadcast live on FloSports.

Gallery: (2-20-2021) Dukes Battle Delaware