Dukes Fall in Double OT at Coppin State

Wednesday, December 21

Baltimore, Md.

11 a.m.

James Madison University

9-4,0-0Sun Belt

100

107

Coppin State

5-9,0-0MEAC

OT 1

OT 2

James Madison

100

Coppin St.

107

12/21/2022 5:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score

BALTIMORE, Md. - James Madison erased a seven-point lead in the final 39.3 seconds of regulation on Wednesday afternoon, but dropped a 107-100 heartbreaker in double overtime at Coppin State to cap the Dukes' non-conference men's basketball schedule.

The Dukes (9-4) battled back, outscoring CSU 49-33 in the second half after the Eagles went 10-19 (52.6%) from the three-point line in the first half. In all, CSU shot 51.7% (31-60) including a 7-10 performance in the two overtime periods.

Graduate forward Alonzo Sule racked up 21 points for the Dukes, including 10 across the two overtime periods, while graduate Takal Molson posted a double-double with 18 points and a season-high 10 boards.

Sophomore guard Terrence Edwards racked up 17 points on 7-10 shooting and senior guard Vado Morse added 15 to go with four rebounds and four assists.

The Dukes forced 24 turnovers on the day, but committed 20 of their own, hitting only six of their 29 three-pointers.

Coppin State had three players clear 20 points, led by guard Sam Sessoms' 28 and Mike Hood's 23, which included six three-pointers.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
The teams traded leads in the early minutes, with JMU using four straight points to take a 23-19 lead at the 7:01 mark. From there, however, Coppin State ripped off nine straight points.

That stretch would spark a 22-5 run across the final 6:39 of the first half, capped by a three-pointer from near midcourt that gave the Eagles a 47-31 lead at the break.

Second Half
The two sides traded buckets again to open the second half, with CSU leading 52-37 at the 16:15 mark before the Dukes ripped off 13 straight points of their own to trim things to 52-50 with 10:36 to play.

The Eagles would push back again, driving the lead back out to 13 with 5:27 to play and eventually lead 75-65 with 1:47 to play and 80-73 with 39.3 ticks left before JMU made its final run.

Sule followed with a three-pointer and CSU missed a pair of free throws, giving Edwards the chance to drive straight down and cut the lead to two. On the inbounds pass, Julien Wooden was able to knock the ball free and find Sule, who laid in the tying basket on his second chance, sending things to overtime at 80-80 after two more missed free throws by Coppin State.

First Overtime
The Dukes did not lead in the first OT until a Wooden free throw gave them a 92-91 lead with 30 seconds left, but CSU immediately responded with a deep three-pointer to go back up.

On the final possession, Morse was able to drive and dish to Sule, who hammered home a two-handed dunk to send the game to a second overtime at 94-94.

Second Overtime
In the second and final OT period, CSU rushed out to a 99-95 lead and the Dukes were not able to recover. After JMU got it back to a two-point game, the Eagles used six straight points to put things out of reach.

QUICK HITS
- The Dukes hit the century mark for the sixth time this season, matching the program record for most 100-point games in a season first set in the 1970-71 campaign.
- Sophomore guard Tyree Ihenacho racked up 10 rebounds, his most since arriving at JMU.
- Wednesday marked the Dukes' first double-overtime game since a Jan. 3, 2019 loss to UNCW.
- The 21 points by Alonzo Sule were the most he has scored in a JMU uniform.
- JMU scored 100 points in three straight games for the first time since Dec. 14-21, 1991.

UP NEXT
Having wrapped up the non-conference portion of their 2022-23 schedule, the Dukes will be off for the holidays before returning to action on Thursday, Dec. 29. JMU will open its Sun Belt Conference slate with a 7 p.m. tip at Georgia State that evening, before traveling to Marshall for a 2 p.m. contest on Saturday, Dec. 31.