Dukes Stifle VCU in Defensive Battle, 55-42

Thursday, December 5

Richmond, Va.

6 p.m.

James Madison University

7-2,0-0Sun Belt

VCU

4-5,0-0Atlantic 10

James Madison

VCU

12/5/2024 9:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – James Madison women's basketball held VCU to 24.6 percent (15-of-61) from the field for a season-low 42 points in a 55-42 victory inside the Siegel Center on Thursday night.

JMU (7-2) closed the game out strong, limiting the Rams (4-5) to 1-of-11 (.091) down the stretch and forcing four turnovers in the final 3:37.

Ro Scott paced the Dukes with 16 points off the bench to go along with four rebounds and two assists. Peyton McDaniel registered 12 points and 10 boards for her fourth double-double of the season, while Kseniia Kozlova added 10 points and seven rebounds. Bree Robinson led all players with five steals, her second game in a row with five takeaways.

For VCU, Mary-Anna Asare (13) and Timaya Lewis-Eutsey (12) finished in double figures. Outside of Asare and Lewis-Eutsey, the Rams shot a combined 6-for-37 (.162) from the field and 2-of-18 (.111) from three. Mykel Parham collected a game-high 12 rebounds in the loss.

How It Happened
First Quarter – JMU 16, VCU 13

The Dukes forced five turnovers and shot 7-of-17 (.412) for a three-point lead after one.
Scott added five points off the bench, while Hazell chipped in with four in the opening frame.

Second Quarter – JMU 32, VCU 23

A layup from Jennifer Ezeh gave VCU a 19-18 edge at the 8:02 mark, however, the Dukes closed the quarter on a 14-5 run, holding the Rams to one made field goal the rest of the way.
Kozlova was efficient in the paint, going 3-for-3 for six points.

Third Quarter – JMU 47, VCU 35

After JMU scored the opening basket of the second half, VCU recorded a 9-0 spurt to cut the deficit to two (34-32) at the 6:20 mark.
The Rams were held to 4-of-17 (.235) from the field and 1-of-8 (.125) from three.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 55, VCU 42

The teams combined for 1-of-17 (.059) to begin the final period, as the Dukes held on to a 47-38 advantage at the media timeout.
JMU managed to outscore the Rams 8-7 in the fourth, with no team registering a made field goal in the last 3:05 of action.

Game Notes

James Madison now owns a 50-17 lead in the all-time series against VCU, dating back to 1971, and has won 12 consecutive contests against the Rams.
Hazell has appeared in 130 career games for JMU, tying Kamiah Smalls (2016-20) and Courtney Hamner (2007-11) for the ninth-most games played in program history.
JMU held an advantage in points in the paint (28-18), bench points (22-15), fast break points (15-2) and second chance points (9-5).
The Dukes nearly won wire-to-wire, spending 38:12 with the lead.
James Madison won the rebounding battle (42-39) for the sixth time this season.

Up Next
The Dukes will return to Harrisonburg to host No. 4 Texas for a Purple Out contest on Sunday, Dec. 8. Action inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.