Dukes Defeat Dayton

Monday, December 3

Harrisonburg, VA.

7 P.M.

James Madison University

6-1

Dayton

2-5

Dayton

James Madison

12/3/2018 10:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball pushed its home-win streak to 17 games, as it defeated Dayton 68-55 on Monday evening. All six of the Dukes' victories have come by double digits.

James Madison (6-1) started off the game with the first five points and after Dayton (2-5) came back to tie the game at five, JMU would never trail. Behind 57 percent shooting (8-of-14) the Dukes controlled the first quarter and led 22-14.

Dayton outscored the Dukes 19-18 in the second frame, but JMU maintained a 40-33 lead at half. The Flyers' Jayla Scaife recorded 17 points in the first half hitting three of Dayton's four treys in the frame.

Dayton pulled within six in the third quarter but never got any closer. Jackie Benitez tallied eight of her 15 points in the frame including a buzzer-beating three to keep JMU ahead 59-46. JMU also held Scaife to just one point in the quarter to keep the Flyers' leading scorer in check.

Both teams suffered dry shooting spells in the final period as both would tally just nine points. It became the ninth time this season holding an opponent to 10 points or less in a quarter. JMU sealed the victory 68-55 for its sixth win of the season.

GAME NOTES

Devon Merritt notched her second double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds (at Hampton)
Kamiah Smalls has now scored 52 points over the last two games
Smalls' 10-plus point performance was her ninth consecutive
Smalls has hit a three in nine straight games
JMU is on a 17-game home win streak dating back to last season
Madison Green got her first collegiate start and posted a career-high eight points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field
Kayla Cooper-Williams took sole possession of fourth place on the all-time blocks list as she now as 158
JMU has held all opponents to just 40 percent shooting this season
The Dukes have held six of seven opponents under 60 points this season
JMU is 2-0 against the Atlantic 10 (George Washington)

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Coach O'Regan: "Devon & Kayla have great energy and they both continue to get better…I'm impressed by everyone. I don't define roles and I think what they're doing on the court is emerging roles for themselves."
Kamiah Smalls: "We like a challenge…it's something that gave us a challenge right before Maryland. We're surrounded by great teammates. They let you know 'we got your back'. I worked really hard over the summer to be a threat and it is starting to pay off."
Jackie Benitez: "Having them as teammates is great because I can come out and be confident in my shot and know that they have my back."

UP NEXT
James Madison will go on the road to take on No. 7/8 Maryland on Saturday, Dec. 8 at noon.