Dukes Close Strong for Win at Southern Miss

Wednesday, February 4

Hattiesburg, Miss.

7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)

James Madison University

17-8,9-4Sun Belt

Southern Miss

12-11,5-7Sun Belt

James Madison

Southern Miss.

2/4/2026 8:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Ashanti Barnes (10) and Peyton McDaniel (9) combined for 19 of James Madison's 26 fourth-quarter points to hold off Southern Miss for an 83-72 road win in Sun Belt Conference women's basketball action on Wednesday night inside Reed Green Coliseum.

The Dukes (17-8), 9-4 Sun Belt) won the rebounding battle 44-30 and poured in a season-high 52 points in the paint to down the Lady Eagles (12-11, 5-7 Sun Belt) to pick up its third consecutive win.

McDaniel finished with 24 points on 10-of-16 (.625) from the field and grabbed eight rebounds in the win. The guard's scoring output moves her into third all-time in points in program history with 2,131, passing Tamera Young (2004-08) who tallied 2,121 in her illustrious career. Barnes totaled 21 points, pulled down nine boards, and dished out five assists for a +/- score of +15. Bree Robinson produced 16 points, while registering four dimes and a pair of steals. Zakiya Stephenson reached double figures with 10 points to go with five assists and two steals. Off the bench, Delilah Soltys wrangled in nine rebounds, while Brianna McLeod chipped in with five points and two blocks.

For Southern Miss, Jakayla Johnson recorded 22 points, with 15 coming in the second half. Whitney Hart finished with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Meloney Thames (12) and Hayleigh Breland (11) also finished in double-digit scoring.

How It Happened
First Quarter – JMU 18, Southern Miss 13

After trading baskets through the opening minutes, the Dukes went on a 7-0 run for a 13-6 advantage, forcing a Southern Miss timeout.
Johnson knocked down a three from the wing in the waning seconds to cut the deficit to five (18-13) at the end of the first.

Second Quarter – JMU 39, Southern Miss 26

A 12-2 start for the Dukes put them ahead 30-15 near the halfway point of the second, with five points coming from McDonough.
JMU outshot the Lady Eagles at the half, 44.4% (16-of-36) to 31.4% (11-of-35).

Third Quarter – JMU 57, Southern Miss 50

Southern Miss used an 11-0 run early in the period to trail 43-39 at the 6:39 mark.
Thames connected on a straight-on three-pointer to tie the game at 48-48 as part of a 20-5 overall run with 4:01 left in the third.
JMU scored the final three field goals for a seven-point (57-50) lead heading into the fourth.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 83, Southern Miss 72

The Dukes shot 12-for-20 (.600) from the floor, with Barnes (10) and McDaniel (9) leading the charge.
JMU only committed one turnover in the final frame and limited the Lady Eagles to just 13 field goal attempts.

Game Notes

James Madison held an advantage in points in the paint (52-40), fast-break points (18-5), and second-chance points (18-12).
McDaniel's 24-point outing was her 11th game this season with 20 or more. Meanwhile, Barnes' 21 marked her fifth game scoring at least 20.
The Dukes have dished out 20-plus assists in three straight games.
JMU is 5-0 in the all-time series versus Southern Miss, dating back to the 2022-23 season.