JMU BEATS BELMONT AT CABLE CAR CLASSIC

Tuesday, December 30

Santa Clara, Calif.

9 p.m.

James Madison University

8-5

Belmont

5-6

James Madison

Belmont

12/30/2008 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 30, 2008 ? Senior forward Kyle Swanston (Spring Hill, Fla./Hernando) tied his career scoring high of 23 points, and James Madison controlled the final 14 minutes in beating Belmont 81-64 Tuesday in the consolation game of the Cable Car Classic at Santa Clara (Calif.) University.

Swanston had his third 23-point game of the season, including a three-point field goal that capped a 9-0 JMU scoring run and gave the Dukes a 52-43 lead with 11:03 to play. JMU kept at least a seven-point lead the rest of the way and at least a 10-point edge throughout the final 4:32 with its margin reaching 81-60 with just less than a minute remaining. The Dukes during the final half shot 61 percent (17-28) overall from the field and hit on six of 11 shots from three-point range (55 percent).

JMU raised its season record to 8-5 in its final game before resuming play in the Colonial Athletic Association. Belmont, which lost 83-80 to host Santa Clara in Monday's opening tournament game, fell to 5-6. JMU fell 79-66 to Texas-El Paso Monday in the tournament's first round.

JMU trailed 36-32 at halftime after leading by eight points twice during the opening half but pulled into a 41-41 tie on a Swanston three-pointer with 16:47 left in the game. JMU senior forward Juwann James (Jacksonville, Fla./Raines) and Belmont's Mike Dejworek traded baskets to leave the teams tied at 43 before the Dukes' 9-0 burst gave them control.