Strong Second Quarter Pushes Dukes Over Georgia State

Saturday, January 14

Harrisonburg, Va.

4 p.m.

James Madison University

16-2,6-0Sun Belt

Georgia State

8-11,2-4Sun Belt

Georgia St.

James Madison

1/14/2023 8:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Highlights Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – After James Madison opened the game 0-of-10 from deep, junior Steph Ouderkirk rattled off four three-pointers in a three-minute span to help the Dukes overcome an early five-point deficit. Ouderkirk gave the Dukes the edge they needed as the team hung on to beat Georgia State 62-57 on Saturday night inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center.

The victory was JMU's (16-2, 6-0 SBC) 13th in a row and sixth straight at home. The Panthers fall to 8-11 (2-4 SBC) and are set to host Coastal Carolina on Jan. 19.

In her 100th career game, senior Kiki Jefferson paced all players with 18 points, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out six assists. Ouderkirk tied her career-high with 13 points and tied her season-high with six boards. Classmate Kseniia Kozlova chipped in with nine points on 4-of-6 (66.7%) from the floor, while Kobe King-Hawea knocked down 2-of-3 (66.7%) from three. Graduate student Caroline Germond posted five assists and a pair of steals in the win.

How It Happened

Both teams got off to a slow start, as the scoreboard read 2-2 at the first media timeout with 3:42 left in the quarter.
The Dukes were cold from deep in the first half, starting 0-for-10 from the long line before Ouderkirk erupted from deep. The junior hit four three-pointers in a three-minute span to turn a 16-11 GSU lead into a 26-20 JMU advantage.
James Madison wrapped up the first half with a 28-21 edge after knocking down five deep balls in the second quarter.
The Dukes and Panthers traded baskets in the third, but JMU managed to slightly increase its lead to seven with a score of 43-58.
Jefferson had a big third period shooting 2-of-5 (40.0%) from the field and 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the line.
Hazell broke through in the final frame, knocking down 4-of-5 (80.0%) jumpers to keep Georgia State at bay.
GSU cut the deficit to two, 59-57, at the 1:14 mark of the fourth, but Hazell and Jefferson helped ice the game with a basket and free throw as the Dukes hung on to win 62-57.

Game Notes

JMU now owns a 13-0 advantage in the all-time series against Georgia State.
James Madison improved to 6-0 in conference play for the first time since the 2017-18 season. They are the only undefeated team in Sun Belt play, while Southern Miss and Troy each mark one loss on the season.
JMU also recorded a 13-game winning streak in 2018-19. That season, the Dukes won every game between Jan. 20 - March 9 before falling to Hofstra, 57-50, in the CAA Quarterfinals on March 14.
Jefferson posted six assists against the Panthers, the seventh time this season the guard has dished out five or more.
Germond finished the night with five assists, her second consecutive game with at least five dimes.
As a team, it was the Dukes' fourth-best outing passing the ball this season with 16 assists.
King-Hawea knocked down two three-pointers, the first time in her career she's connected on multiple deep shots.
James Madison only committed 11 fouls, the third-lowest mark for the team in 2022-23. Conversely, Jefferson drew 11 fouls.
The Dukes scored 24 points in the second quarter, the second-best second-quarter performance for the program this season.

Up Next
The Dukes will complete their four-game homestand next week with matchups against Georgia Southern on Thursday, Jan. 19 (7 p.m.) and Troy on Saturday, Jan. 21 (4 p.m.). Both games will stream on ESPN+.