JMU Sinks Elon, 81-76, in Overtime in CAA Action

Sunday, January 10

Elon, N.C.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

9-5 (2-1CAA)

Elon

9-5 (2-1CAA)

OT 1

James Madison

Elon

1/10/2016 5:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – In a game with five tied scores and seven lead changes, key free throws down the stretch proved the difference in James Madison's 81-76 overtime victory at Elon in women's basketball action on Sunday afternoon.

Down by three (68-65), redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey was fouled on a 3-point attempt, which sent her to the line with seven seconds left in regulation. She sank all three attempts, and the Dukes made the defensive stop to head to extra time.

The Dukes and Phoenix stayed close in overtime, matching each other's shots before a 4-0 spurt put the Phoenix ahead by one (76-75) with just 1:10 remaining. JMU remained focused, however, and Gwathmey put up a jumper with 49 seconds left to push the Dukes ahead.

A key stop and steal by junior forward Da'Lishia Griffin on the ensuing Elon possession allowed Gwathmey to be fouled and head to the line, where she sank both attempts to push the Dukes ahead by three. Calling their final timeout and advancing the ball to the front court, the Phoenix took an off-the-mark 3-point shot that sophomore guard Hailee Barron rebounded for the Dukes. Immediately fouled, Barron sank her fourth and fifth points of the overtime period to secure the game.

Gwathmey led the game with 24 points, including a career-high tying 10 points from the stripe, and was joined in double figures by senior guard Ashley Perez at 18. Of the 10 Dukes who saw action, nine scored and six had at least five points. Four Elon players were in double figures, led Jenifer Rhodes' 20.

While Elon shot 42.9 percent from the floor, the team only shot 67.9 percent (19-for-28) from the line. JMU, which shot 35.1 percent from the field, made 85.2 percent (23-of-27) of its free throw attempts.

The Dukes also outrebounded the Phoenix 57-34, including a 30-13 edge in offensive boards. Freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams led the way with a career-high 15 rebounds while redshirt sophomore forward Tasia Butler secured a career-high nine.

JMU, now 9-5 overall and 2-1 in Colonial Athletic Association action, heads home to face Drexel on Friday, Jan. 15. Elon, 9-5 overall and 2-1 in CAA games, hits the road to take on Towson.

QUOTING HEAD COACH KENNY BROOKS
"Everyone stepped up and contributed in some sort of way, therefore we allowed ourselves to get back in the basketball game. We scratched, we clawed and we executed down the stretch and gave ourselves a chance to win."

OVERTIME FACTS

Today marked the Dukes' third overtime game of the season (2-1). All have come on the road and two have come in CAA action.
This is the first time since the 2011-12 season JMU has played in three overtime games for a single season.
The win marks the Dukes' first overtime win in CAA action since Feb. 9, 2012 (W, 56-51 at Drexel).
Head Coach Kenny Brooks is 18-9 all-time in overtime games.

CAREER HIGHS

Freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams set a career high for rebounds (15).
Redshirt sophomore forward Tasia Butler set a career high for rebounds (9).
Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey tied a career high in made free throws (10).

TWEET OF THE DAY

Clutch win for @JMUWBasketball today vs. Elon! Lots of fun following on Twitter today! #GoDukes! https://t.co/YUXhBZYavL
— DFW Dukes (@DFWDukes) January 10, 2016

NUMBERS OF NOTE

JMU led by as many as 10 points five times, last off a lay-in from Kayla Cooper-Williams at the 5-minute mark of the third quarter (50-40).
Elon went on a 9-of-9 field-goal run to close the gap to four (37-33) in the second quarter.
Hailee Barron scored seven points in the contest, including five points in overtime, for her highest scoring performance since dropping 11 points against American.

AROUND THE CAA
Six teams are tied for league-leading honors after three games, with all six teams holding 2-1 records.

UP NEXT
JMU returns home for a pair of CAA contests at the Convo. The Dukes face Drexel on Friday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. before taking on Northeastern at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 17.

The Dukes are hosting a "White Out" for Friday's contest against the Dragons. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game; however, the first 600 fans in attendance will receive a free "White Out the Convo" t-shirt. More information may be found here.