Dukes Open Final Road Weekend at Georgia Southern

Thursday, February 9

Statesboro, Ga.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

Georgia Southern

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2/8/2023 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Game Notes

James Madison Dukes (17-8, 8-4 SBC) at Georgia Southern Eagles (12-13, 5-7 SBC)

February 9, 2023 -- 7 p.m.

Statesboro, Ga. -- Hanner Fieldhouse

Game Links
Live Stats · Video: ESPN+ · Audio Broadcast

Tickets · JMU Game Notes

JMUSports.com · @JMUMBasketball · #GoDukes

GSEagles.com · @GSAthletics_MBB

QUICK HITS

James Madison men's basketball looks to continue its winning streak and sweep the season series against Georgia Southern on Thursday evening, tipping off from Statesboro at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Dukes' four-game winning streak has taken them to an 8-4 record in Sun Belt play and into a tie with Marshall for third place in the league standings. JMU sits just two games out of first behind Southern Miss and Louisiana, who have won seven and 10 straight games, respectively. JMU's four consecutive wins mark the third-longest winning streak in the league.
Four of the last five JMU victories - and each of the Dukes' last three - have been by single digits. After starting the year 1-6 in games decided by nine points or less, JMU is 4-0 in its last four such instances.
Redshirt senior Vado Morse and redshirt sophomore Terrence Edwards each average 12.5 points per game to lead JMU. Adding Takal Molson at 10.8 and Mezie Offurum at 10.4, JMU sits as one of just four teams in the Sun Belt with at least four in double-digits.
Last week, Julien Wooden shot 57.1% from three and drained eight triples, the most in a two-game stretch in his career.
JMU's offense has produced at least four double-digit scorers in 17 of 25 games and at least five on six occasions. The Dukes are 15-2 this season when at least four players score in double figures and 6-0 when at least five reach that mark.
Against App State, JMU notched its 11th game in 12 conference matchups with more free throws than its opponents. Nationally, the Dukes are tied for 24th with 16.0 free throws made per game, which is also the best such mark in the SBC.
The Dukes have improved on taking care of the ball, committing just 11.0 turnovers per game during their winning streak.
Defensively, JMU has yielded just 61.0 points per game in its last four, holding two of its last three opponents under 60 points. The Dukes lead the Sun Belt with a 30.6% defensive three-point clip for the season, which holds at 31.0% in league games.

SCOUTING THE EAGLES

Georgia Southern has dropped four straight and six of its last seven, last falling at Old Dominion, 64-58, on Saturday night. The Eagles are 5-7 in conference play and are tied with South Alabama for ninth in the SBC.
Redshirt senior Andrei Savrasov leads Georgia Southern with 12.8 points per game, making 114 field goals thus far.
The Eagles have been a one-and-done defense in league games, tied for first alongside ODU with 26.2 defensive rebounds per game.

SERIES HISTORY

JMU won the first-ever meeting in the series, 83-71, on Jan. 14 in Harrisonburg, snapping a three-game losing streak to begin its run of six wins in seven games. Morse led the way with 25 points while Noah Freidel knocked down six three-pointers.
Thursday will be Mark Byington's return trip to Georgia Southern, where he coached for seven seasons.