Jefferson, Kozlova Record Double-Doubles in Win Over Texas State

Thursday, February 16

San Marcos, Texas

8 p.m.

James Madison University

21-6,11-4Sun Belt

Texas State

18-8,10-5Sun Belt

James Madison

Texas St.

Jefferson, Kozlova Record Double-Doubles in Win Over Texas State

2/16/2023 11:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Highlights

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Senior Kiki Jefferson (20 points, 12 rebounds) and junior Kseniia Kozlova (15 points, 14 rebounds) registered double-doubles to push the Dukes past Texas State, 58-54, on Feb. 16 inside Strahan Arena.

The win, along with Coastal Carolina's 99-97 triumph at Troy, puts JMU (21-6, 11-4 SBC) in first place in the Sun Belt Conference. They are tied at 11-4 with Troy and Old Dominion, but own the tiebreaker. The Bobcats fall to 18-8 (10-5 SBC) and will host South Alabama on Feb. 18.

For Jefferson, her double-double was her fourth in five games, ninth of the season, and 20th of her career. Additionally, she clocked in 37 minutes of action, tying her career high. Meanwhile, Kozlova's 14 rebounds were a career-high as she earned her second career double-double. Junior Kobe King-Hawea scored eight points on 4-of-7 (57.1%) and added four rebounds and three assists. Classmates Jamia Hazell and Peyton McDaniel chipped in with eight and seven points, respectively.

How It Happened

JMU got hot early in the first quarter, highlighted by an 8-0 run to make it 10-4 at the 5:33 mark. Texas State battled back and closed the opening frame on a 6-0 run in the final 0:39 to take an 18-15 edge after one.
The Dukes went up 21-18 with six minutes remaining in the half, however, the Bobcats recorded a 7-0 sprint for a 25-21 lead at the media timeout.
JMU tightened up defensively, not allowing any field goals in the final 4:52 of the second quarter, however, Texas State sunk 5-of-8 (62.5%) from the line for a 30-27 advantage at the intermission.
The Bobcats built a seven-point lead at the 7:36 mark of the third quarter, 36-29.
James Madison came back with several tough baskets to go up 44-41 with one quarter remaining.
The Dukes went up by six, 48-42, less than two minutes into the final period. Texas State responded to tie the game at 50 with 2:01 left on the clock. Jefferson scored seven points to help give JMU the win, 58-54.

Game Notes

JMU now leads the all-time series against Texas State 1-0.
James Madison held the Bobcats to 29.7% (19-of-64) from the field, the best field goal defense by the Dukes in Sun Belt play. Additionally, eight teams have failed to make at least 20 field goals against Head Coach Sean O'Regan's squad.
The Dukes shot 2-for-18 (11.1%) from three, the worst shooting night all season. Moreover, the team went 10-of-18 (55.6%) from the charity stripe, the fifth-worst performance this year in terms of efficiency. The lowest percentage recorded by JMU this season was 50.0% twice: Hampton (6-12, Dec. 17) and Eastern Michigan (9-18, Dec. 20).
James Madison pulled down 43 rebounds compared to the Bobcats' 37. The Dukes have produced 19 games in 2022-23 with 40-plus boards and have won the rebounding battle against league opponents 12 times.
Tonight's game at Texas State was the first instance this season in which James Madison recorded zero blocks.
JMU held the Bobcats to 54 points, becoming of six teams all year to keep Texas State under 55 points.
Fifty-eight points are the second-lowest for the Dukes in a win this season behind their 57-52 victory at Hampton on Dec. 17.

Up Next
The Dukes will travel to Old Dominion for a Saturday matchup. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.