Dukes Pick Up Road Win at Arkansas State, 78-74

Saturday, January 3

Jonesboro, Ark.

3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

8-7,1-2Sun Belt

Arkansas State

10-5,2-1Sun Belt

James Madison

Arkansas St.

1/3/2026 5:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. – James Madison overcame a double-digit deficit to come away with a 78-74 road win over Arkansas State at First National Bank Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Leading 73-72, Cliff Davis hit his fifth three-pointer to put JMU (8-7, 1-2) up four with a minute remaining to hold on for the win over Arkansas State (10-5, 2-1).

Davis finished with a season-high 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Justin McBride notched 21 points – his sixth 20-point game of the season – and seven rebounds, while Gabe Newhof had 15 points.

As a team, JMU shot 27-of-52 (.529) from the floor and 8-of-17 (.471) from deep.

Matt Hayman led Arkansas State with 23 points, while Jaxon Ellingsworth recorded 12 points and eight rebounds.

How It Happened
First Half: James Madison 39, Arkansas State 34

JMU trailed 23-13, but an 11-0 run gave the Dukes a 24-23 lead with just over five minutes left in the half.
The Dukes knocked down three 3-pointers to extend their lead to 37-32, taking a 39-34 lead into the locker room after McBride hit a layup to end the half.

Second Half: James Madison 78, Arkansas State 74

A 14-1 run out of the locker room gave the Red Wolves a 48-40 lead in the opening minutes.
After trailing by eight (50-42 ), JMU went on a 14-0 run to take a 56-50 lead with 12:24 left in the game.
Arkansas State opened up a five-point lead (65-60), but the Dukes tied the game at 69-69 on a free throw from Ike Cornish.
A three from Davis gave JMU a 76-72 lead with a minute remaining, and the Dukes held on for the win.

Game Notes

JMU is now 6-0 against Arkansas State.
Gabe Newhof finished with 15 points for his sixth game in double figures this season.
JMU's 14-0 run in the second half matched its longest run without the opponent scoring this season. The Dukes also went on a 14-0 run at Akron on Nov. 3.
Ike Cornish made his JMU debut, logging eight minutes and scoring two points.
Kose Egbule registered a season-high 18 minutes, scoring two points and finishing +18.
Justin McBride notched 21 points for his sixth 20-point game of the season.
JMU 22-9 when leading at half under Coach P

Up Next
JMU will play a pair of home games next week against Marshall (Jan. 7) and Old Dominion (Jan. 10) at the Atlantic Union Bank Center. Both games will stream on ESPN+.