McDaniel, Defense Powers Dukes to 77-72 Triumph Over Florida

Friday, November 29

Tampa, Fla.

3 p.m.

James Madison University

6-2,0-0Sun Belt

Florida

3-4,0-0SEC

James Madison

Florida

Peyton McDaniel Three Point vs Saint Peter's 112024

McDaniel, Defense Powers Dukes to 77-72 Triumph Over Florida

11/29/2024 6:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – James Madison women's basketball turned 23 Florida turnovers into 24 points to come away with a 77-72 victory at the St. Pete Showcase on Friday afternoon inside the Walter Athletic Complex.

Tied 43-43 at halftime, the Dukes (6-2) forced eight turnovers in the third to create a 59-55 edge over the Gators (3-4) heading into the final frame. JMU took advantage of a cold shooting stretch for UF to build a 14-point lead (73-59) at the 3:54 mark. Florida stormed back with a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to three (75-72) with 0:31 remaining, however, Peyton McDaniel hit a pair of free throws and intercepted an errant pass on the Gators' final possession to seal the deal.

McDaniel led the Dukes with 20 points, knocking down 6-of-15 (.400) from three and recording five steals on her way to being named to the St. Pete Showcase All-Tournament Team. Ro Scott finished with 12 points, including nine in the opening frame. Angela Williams notched 11 points and pulled down a team-best six rebounds, while Zakiya Stephenson added 10 points and a game-high four assists. Bree Robinson played a key role in the Dukes' defense showing, tallying five steals, three of which came during the fourth.

For Florida, Liv McGill registered 20 points on 8-of-11 (.727), while Jeriah Warren (16) and Laila Reynolds (15) also finished in double figures.

How It Happened
First Quarter – UF 25, JMU 21

The Gators led by as much as 10 (23-13), however, Scott scored six points in the final 1:01 to trail by four after one.
Scott finished with nine points in the frame, highlighted by a pair of three-pointers.

Second Quarter – JMU 43, UF 43

JMU tied the game at 27-all at the 8:37 mark after consecutive triples by Scott and McDaniel.
Seven Dukes scored, with Angela Williams chipping in with five points off the bench.

Third Quarter – JMU 59, UF 55

The Dukes forced five UF turnovers in a 3:26 stretch that coincided with an 8-0 JMU run to put the Purple and Gold ahead 51-45 halfway through the third.
Florida tallied eight giveaways in the frame, which JMU turned into 10 points.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 77, UF 72

Robinson was active in the early going, with four points and three steals in the first four minutes.
JMU did not allow Florida to make a field goal for nearly five minutes as the Dukes took a 73-59 lead with 3:54 remaining.
The Gators responded with an 13-2 run to make it 75-72 with 0:31 left on the clock.
McDaniel iced the game with a pair of free throws and a steal on Florida's final possession to give JMU a 77-72 victory.

Game Notes

The win was JMU's first over a current Southeastern Conference team since defeating Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., 63-61, on March 20, 2001, in the third round of the WNIT.
JMU shot a perfect 13-for-13 from the line, the first time the program has gone perfect from the charity stripe with a minimum of eight attempts since going 8-for-8 versus George Mason on Dec. 6, 2020.
The Dukes held an advantage in bench points (29-12) and fast break points (14-9), while the Gators dominated in paint points (46-29).
James Madison's 13 steals were its most against a Division I opponent since registering 14 against Georgia Southern on Jan. 29, 2023.

Up Next
The Dukes will return to the Commonwealth to take on VCU on Dec. 5. Action in Richmond, Va. is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.