Dukes Fly Past South Alabama, 88-52

Saturday, January 31

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

16-8,8-4Sun Belt

South Alabama

9-12,2-9Sun Belt

South Alabama

James Madison

1/31/2026 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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HARRISONBURG, Va. – Five Dukes scored in double figures as James Madison women's basketball powered past South Alabama, 88-52, inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Dukes (16-8, 8-4 Sun Belt) won in wire-to-wire fashion after shooting 57.6% (34-of-59) from the field and a season-best 42.9% (9-of-21) from three to down the Jaguars (9-12, 2-9 Sun Belt).

Peyton McDaniel led the charge with a game-high 22 points and dished out a career-best five assists. Ashanti Barnes finished with 18 points on 8-of-10 (.800) from the floor to go with nine rebounds, three steals, and two blocks. Bree Robinson registered 15 points, hitting 3-of-5 (.600) from behind the line while producing five assists.

Grace McDonough recorded a career-high 13 points, going 6-of-8 (.750) from the field. Kylie Marshall supplied 10 points and two steals off the bench.

For South Alabama, Daniela Gonzalez was the lone player in double-digit scoring (12). Chrysta Narcisse led all players with 10 boards, while Tamara Ortiz chipped in with nine points, two assists, and two steals.

How It Happened
First Quarter – JMU 23, USA 8

The Dukes made their first three baskets to jump out to a 6-0 lead at the 8:40 mark, forcing a South Alabama timeout.
Barnes scored 13 points on 6-of-6 from the field to help give JMU a 23-8 advantage after one.

Second Quarter – JMU 49, USA 21

The Dukes' hot shooting continued as they connected on 11-of-17 (.647) from the field, with McDaniel adding seven points in the frame.
JMU knocked down three triples and dished out seven assists to give the Dukes 49 points at the half – the most first-half points by the team this season.

Third Quarter – JMU 76, USA 35

McDaniel (9) and Robinson (8) combined for 17 points as the Dukes went 8-for-11 (.727) from the floor, while the Jaguars shot just 25.0% (4-of-16).
JMU bridged the halves with a 19-0 scoring frenzy.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 88, USA 52

JMU led by as much as 46 (88-42) following a physical layup by McDonough, but failed to score for the final 4:29.
South Alabama closed on a 10-0 run as the Jaguars outscored the Dukes 17-12 in the final frame.

Game Notes

James Madison held an advantage in points in the paint (44-28), points off turnovers (31-8), and fast-break points (18-8).
The Dukes' 11 steals mark the third consecutive game in which the team has finished with double-digit takeaways.
JMU's 19-0 run between the second and third quarter was its largest run of the season.
The 42.9% (9-of-21) clip from three-point range was the sixth time the Dukes have shot 40.0% or better from three this season. Additionally, JMU has gone 37-for-99 (.374) from the long line over the last five games.