JMU Holds Off Georgia Southern in 71-65 Road Win

Thursday, February 22

Statesboro, Ga.

5 p.m.

James Madison University

19-9,11-4Sun Belt

Georgia Southern

14-14,4-11Sun Belt

James Madison

Ga. Southern

2/22/2024 10:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

STATESBORO, Ga. – James Madison women's basketball knocked down 22-of-25 (.880) from the free throw line to edge Georgia Southern 71-65 inside Hanner Fieldhouse on Thursday night.

JMU (19-9, 11-4 SBC) won the rebounding battle over GS (14-14, 4-11 SBC), 46-38. The Eagles lost despite holding the Dukes to 33.3 percent (22-of-66) from the floor.

Redshirt sophomore Peyton McDaniel tied for the game-lead in points with 16 to go along with eight rebounds. Junior Ashanti Barnes finished with 12 points and eight boards, while redshirt junior Jamia Hazell recorded nine points off the bench. Graduate student Carole Miller recorded nine points and tied her career-high of nine rebounds and two blocks. Redshirt junior Olivia Mullins scored eight points off the bench and dished out three assists.

Zaria Johnson tied a season-high in points with 16 to lead Georgia Southern, while Jan'nya Love-Hill added 13 points and six assists and Diamond Stokes chipped in 10 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter

Barnes scored the game's first seven points to give the Dukes a 7-0 lead and force a Georgia Southern timeout.
JMU built a 12-point advantage (14-2), highlighted by a fast-break triple by McDaniel.
The Eagles fought back to trail 20-13 at the end of the quarter.

Second Quarter

The Dukes went on a 6-0 run near the midpoint of the period to go ahead 31-17.
GS responded with a 7-0 spurt to cut the deficit to seven (31-24) at the media timeout.
James Madison held Georgia Southern to zero points in the final 2:00 to take a 38-28 lead at the intermission.

Third Quarter

JMU failed to make a field goal in a 3:25 span as the Eagles trailed 41-36 at the media timeout.
GSU got within three (43-40) at the 3:38 mark but fell behind 51-42 with one quarter to go.

Fourth Quarter

Georgia Southern rallied back with a late 7-0 run over 1:54 to trail 58-54 with 3:29 remaining.
The cold stretch continued for the Dukes, going 4:47 without making a shot from the field, but still led 65-61 at the 1:12 mark.
JMU continued to make shots from the free throw line, going 14-of-15 (.933) in the frame for the 71-65 win.

GAME NOTES

James Madison leads in the all-time series against Georgia Southern, 4-3.
The victory was JMU's first in the State of Georgia since defeating Georgia State 65-49, on Jan. 20, 2013.
The Dukes' 88.0 percent clip from the charity stripe is the team's best so far in the 2023-24 campaign.
JMU won the rebounding battle for the 24th time this season.
James Madison won despite Georgia Southern scoring more points in the paint (36-24), bench points (30-27) and points off turnovers (23-11).
The Dukes' 33.3 percent night from the field is the program's least efficient in Sun Belt Conference play.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will wrap up the road trip at App State for a Saturday afternoon contest on Feb. 24. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.