Dukes Erase Early 11-Point Deficit to Edge VCU, 62-60

Thursday, December 1

Richmond, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

5-2,0-0Sun Belt

VCU

3-5,0-0Atlantic 10

James Madison

VCU

12/1/2022 8:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Highlights

RICHMOND, Va. – James Madison fought to erase an early 11-point deficit, hitting crucial free throws late to edge VCU 62-60 Thursday night inside the Siegel Center.

The win puts JMU at 5-2 on the young season, while the Rams fall to 3-5. For VCU, it heads south for a matchup with ECU on Sunday, Dec. 4.

Senior Kiki Jefferson led all scorers with 17 points, 12 of which came in the second half. Freshman Kadidia Toure chipped in with nine points, while graduate student Caroline Germond added eight. Defensively, Jefferson pulled down eight rebounds and had three steals, while Germond and junior Amira Williams both recorded a block.

How It Happened

Germond set the tone early with five points in the game's opening six minutes.
The Rams played down in the waning minutes of the first quarter, going on a 9-0 run in a 2:24 stretch.
Toure converted on an and-one opportunity, however, the Rams hit a jumper as time expired to give VCU a 20-13 lead after one period of action.
The Dukes' defense tightened up halfway through the seconds, highlighted by a two-minute, 0-9 sequence for the Rams.
Jefferson found Toure underneath the basket for a tough layup just before the halftime buzzer went on off. VCU maintained its seven-point lead, heading into the intermission up 33-26.
JMU came out swinging in the second half, scoring nine unanswered points in the opening three minutes.
Both teams traded baskets for the remainder of the third quarter, resulting in a 47-46 edge for the Dukes.
The Dukes led by as many as five late in the final period but the Rams fought to keep it close. Tied at 60, Jefferson sunk two free throws with 21 seconds left on the clock. VCU's Jennifer Ezeh went to the free-throw line with an opportunity to tie the game with two ticks left, but missed them both to seal the deal.

Game Notes

The win gives James Madison a 48-17 record in the all-time series versus VCU.
For the first time in the 2022-23 campaign, the Dukes did not win the rebound battle. The Rams out-rebounded JMU 44-35, including a 16-11 advantage in offensive boards.
Jefferson has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive contests, nine of which she's scored 20-plus.
The Dukes held VCU to 3-of-18 (16.7%) from the floor in the second quarter.
Germond, Jefferson, and freshman Chloe Sterling each hit multiple three-pointers in the win. Sterling's makes from beyond-the-arc were the first of her career. Additionally, JMU as a whole knocked down 5-of-11 (45.4%) from deep in the second half.
There were 12 lead changes in the contest.

Up Next
The Dukes will return to the Atlantic Union Bank Center to host Maryland Eastern Shore on Sunday, Dec. 4. The opening tip is set for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.