Dukes Top Elon, 73-72, In Senior Day Thriller

Sunday, February 28

Harrisonburg, Va.

2 p.m.

James Madison University

22-5, 15-1CAA

Elon

17-11, 10-6CAA

Elon

JMU

2/28/2016 5:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey poured in 26 points and made the crucial defensive stop on the last possession of the game to lead James Madison women's basketball to a 73-72 Colonial Athletic Association win over Elon on Senior Day at the JMU Convocation Center.

Gwathmey came up big with the day's game-winning points as well, knocking down both free throws after being fouled when the score was 72-71 in favor of Elon with 1:08 left in the game. Defensive pressure forced the Phoenix into two missed shots on the ensuing possession, giving the Dukes a chance to cushion their one-point lead. JMU, however, was unable to convert on two layup attempts, setting Elon up for the last shot of the game.

The Phoenix called back-to-back timeouts to talk over their final play call. JMU stayed tough, forcing Elon out of rhythm and the ball out of bounds with just a few seconds remaining on the clock. After the inbounds pass, Lauren Brown had a shot at the game-winning basket before Gwathmey flew toward her, denying her attempt and sending the Dukes home victorious on Senior Day.

The game was a close, physical contest that saw 10 ties and 10 lead changes. Elon accrued 23 fouls compared to JMU's 20, but both teams went 75.0 percent at the line.

JMU's double-digit scoring effort was rounded out by senior guards Angela Mickens and Ashley Perez, who tallied 14 and 13, respectively, in their final regular season game in front of the JMU faithful. Mickens also dished out seven assists, moving her into fourth on the JMU single-season assists chart with 182 dishes for the year. Freshman center Kayla Cooper-Williams added 10 rebounds, her ninth double-digit rebounding performance of the season, while making one block to move into a tie for second in JMU single-season blocks with Lauren Okafor ('15) at 57.

The Phoenix shot 43.8 percent from the field while outscoring the Dukes 48-22 in the paint, but made only one shot from three-point range (1-for-9). The Dukes shot 36.9 percent overall, but were more effective than Elon from beyond the arc with a 35.0 percent mark (7-for-20).

The Dukes improved to 22-5 overall and 15-1 in CAA play while maintaining a perfect 14-0 record at home this season. JMU had wrapped up the regular season conference championship with a 77-41 victory over UNCW Friday. The Phoenix fell to 17-11 overall and 10-6 in the CAA.

The win marks the 15th consecutive win for JMU and the 16th consecutive win at home dating back to last season. This is the fifth season that the Dukes have been perfect at home against CAA opponents.

JMU hits the road for the final two regular-season contests of 2015-16, playing at Delaware on Wednesday, March 2, at 8 p.m. and at College of Charleston on Saturday, March 5, at noon.

QUOTING HEAD COACH KENNY BROOKS
"I didn't think the emotion of Senior Day affected anyone except for me. I'm out there in a fog because these kids mean so much to not only me, my career and my style as a coach, but to JMU Nation in particular. They've done so much, you know? They're the epitome of 'student-athlete'."
For full postgame with Coach Brooks is available here, and full postgame with seniors Jazmon Gwathmey, Angela Mickens and Ashley Perez is available here.

PHOTO OF THE DAY
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Seniors walk off the court winners on Senior Day.
The full gallery is available here.

HOME SWEET HOME

JMU has won 16 straight games at home, including a perfect 14-0 mark in 2015-16.
This marks the fifth season under Head Coach Kenny Brooks the Dukes' have gone undefeated in league play at home.
The Dukes have played in front of 2,000 or more fans for 39 straight games within the confines of the Convo. Today's Duke Dog Reading Day attendance was 4,103 fans.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Full highlights are available here.

STRONG AND STEADY
Redshirt senior guard Jazmon Gwathmey dropped 26 points in for the Dukes on Senior Day for her fifth straight 20+ point performance. She has scored in double figures in 18 straight games, which is tied for the 10th-longest streak in JMU history.

TWEET OF THE DAY

What a game! @JMUWBasketball goes undefeated at home this season. Good luck at the @CAA tournament! #GoDukes #JMUContest
— Carol Benassi (@cabdallas) February 28, 2016

UP NEXT
The Dukes hit the road for their final two regular-season games of the year. JMU heads to Delaware on Wednesday for an 8 p.m. tilt on American Sports Network before traveling down to Charleston for a make-up game on Saturday at noon.