Dukes Roll Past Coastal Carolina in Sun Belt Opener

Thursday, December 29

Harrisonburg, Va.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

11-2,1-0Sun Belt

Coastal Carolina

5-7,0-1Sun Belt

Coastal Carolina

James Madison

12/29/2022 6:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Highlights

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison held Coastal Carolina to just 31.3% (21-of-67) from the floor on its way to a 77-56 victory to open Sun Belt competition Thursday afternoon inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center.

The Dukes (11-2, 1-0 SBC) are riding an eight-game winning streak, while the Chanticleers (5-7, 0-1 SBC) will look to top Louisiana on Dec. 31 for their first conference win.

Senior Kiki Jefferson was dominant, leading all players in points (20), rebounds (10), and assists (eight). For Jefferson, this marked her fourth double-double of the season and 15th in her career. Additionally, her eight dimes set a career-high.

Junior Jamia Hazell knocked down six shots for a season-high 14 points, while graduate student Caroline Germond and junior Kseniia Kozlova chipped in with 10 apiece. Classmate Claire Neff recorded a career-high five blocks, tied for the second-most among all Sun Belt players this season.

How It Happened

Jefferson got the Dukes going with a pair of threes to give JMU an 18-13 lead after one quarter.
James Madison shot an efficient 9-of-16 (56.3%) in the second quarter, with seven points courtesy of Hazell. Seven Dukes scored in the period to give the team a 40-29 heading into the intermission.
JMU and CCU went shot for shot in the third quarter, however James Madison managed to build a 58-46 lead with one quarter remaining.
The Dukes' defense was stingy late in the game, with the Chanticleers going scoreless for a three-minute stretch.
Germond and Jefferson combined for 10 points in the final frame as JMU earned a 77-56 victory.

Game Notes

JMU holds a 2-0 advantage in the all-time series against Coastal Carolina.
James Madison is off to an 11-2 start for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
Jefferson scored 20 or more points for the seventh time this season and the 31st time in her career.
The Dukes shot 16-of-18 (88.9%) from the charity stripe, the third-most efficient mark for the team in 2022-23.
With 10 points, Kozlova has now scored in double-digits in four of her last five games.
James Madison hit 11-of-25 (44.0%) of its shots from beyond the arc, which is the most number of makes and the second-most efficient outing this season.
JMU won the rebounding battle 47-41. The Dukes have pulled down 40+ boards nine times in the 2022-23 campaign.
Germond's 10 points are a JMU career-high while her four rebounds are a season-high.
Four Dukes connected on multiple makes from deep.
Four of JMU's five starters scored in double figures.

Up Next
The Dukes will remain at home to host Old Dominion on Saturday, Dec. 31. Tip time against the Monarchs is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.