JMU Takes Down Hokies, Advances to WNIT Quarterfinals

Thursday, March 28

Harrisonburg, Va.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

28-5

Virginia Tech

22-12

Virginia Tech

James Madison

3/28/2019 11:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison women's basketball defeated in-state foe Virginia Tech 70-66 to advance to the WNIT Quarterfinals. This is the first time for the Dukes in the Quarterfinals since 2013.

In a game that had seven ties and 14 lead changes it, the flow of the game would sway back and forth between James Madison (28-5) and Virginia Tech (22-12). Aneah Young and Logan Reynolds pushed the Dukes forward to a 14-11 lead early. The Hokies would come right back and lead by one, 17-16 after a final possession layup by Regan Magarity.

Virginia Tech hit their third from behind the arc to go ahead 20-16. Kamiah Smalls scored 10 of the Dukes 18 points in the second quarter to keep JMU right in the mix. The Dukes were down by one with three seconds before the half, and Smalls took a trey that was on the mark but just too low to trail 35-34. This was only the seventh game the Dukes trailed at the break and the fourth time they would eventually come back.

Reynolds continued to put on a show and opened the third quarter with a three-point opportunity to put the Dukes up 37-35. The flow would continue to go back and fourth with the Dukes laying down even scoring throughout the third quarter. JMU compiled 23 points with six different players adding to the scoring in the frame. Reynolds ended the frame with a last possession bucket as the Dukes led the Hokies 57-52.

It would be an intense final quarter as the two Virginia teams battled. Leading through most of the fourth quarter the Dukes fought on defense. Taylor Emery, who finished with 21 points, drained a three to put Virginia Tech up by one, 66-65, with under a minute to play. Smalls would put the Dukes back in front hitting two from the charity stripe. Benitez would also hit a free throw following a huge stop by Young on the defensive end. Benitez missed the second free throw but Reynolds was able to secure it before being fouled with less than a second on the clock. Reynolds would hit both to secure the Dukes victory 70-66.

GAME NOTES

The Dukes had three players in double-figure scoring with Smalls leading the way with 16 points, while Benitez added 15 and Devon Merritt added 10
JMU has now won 30-straight games in the Convocation Center; which is tied for second most in program history
The Dukes have won 17 games in the Convocation Center this year, which is a program record
JMU broke the school record for blocks in a season with 205
Reynolds moved up on the JMU Career steals list with 193
The Dukes recorded just seven turnovers, which is tied for least all season
Virginia Tech did not block the Dukes. This marked the fourth game this season not being blocked by an opponent
JMU is in their fourth WNIT Quarterfinal game. The Dukes are 1-2 all-time in the quarterfinals
The Dukes boast an impressive 19-2 record in the WNIT when playing at home

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Young: "I remember Coach B telling me they were going to set the ball screen and I needed to stay solid so that I would come out with it" – on her block in the final possession for VT

Young: "I was excited. The Virginia Tech-JMU rivalry gets people excited no matter what sport. It had me pumped I was just ready to go."

Kamiah Smalls: "It's amazing. I've been telling Logan I got you. We're going to make this special. We were dealt a hand and we have got to play with it. This was for Logan, Kayla and Aneah."

Merritt: "I think when we lost Lexie and Kamiah it was step up time. With Kamiah back, we have her added to our lifted confidences. We're just playing basketball and doing our jobs."

Coach Sean O'Regan: "Really really proud. I don't know how else to describe it. We played tough, played gritty. Logan & Aneah led the charge...although I can go down the line. Before we get into it…I have so much respect for Kenny Books. I hope we made this an appreciated return. I hope he feels the love from the crowd. Someone had to lose as good as I feel about it, I feel bad that he walked out of here with a loss but I'm sure I'll get over it."

UP NEXT
JMU will host Georgetown in the WNIT Quarterfinals on Sunday, March 31 at 2 p.m.

TICKET INFO – Purchase here

Reserved - $11
General Admission - $8
General Admission JMU Faculty/Staff, Youth (6-17), Seniors (62+) - $6

Priority deadline for season ticket holders to reserve their same seats is Friday at 5 p.m.