HARRISONBURG, Va. - James Madison had five players score in double figures on Thursday night, but couldn't hold off a hot-shooting Drexel team, dropping an 88-82 decision to the Dragons in men's basketball action at the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
The Dukes (12-6, 3-4) scored at least 80 points for the fifth time in seven league games, but saw Drexel (9-8, 4-3) hit 11 first-half three-pointers and shoot 55.4% (31-56) from the field in a hard-fought loss.
Redshirt freshman
Terrence Edwards posted his first career double-double in the defeat, tallying 17 points and 11 rebounds, while redshirt junior
Vado Morse racked up 18 points himself.
Graduate student
Charles Falden added 15 points with the help of four three-pointers, while graduate student
Takal Molson and redshirt freshman
Justin Amadi notched 12 and 10, respectively.
Forward Amari Williams led Drexel with 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Drexel stormed out of the gate, hitting 11 of its first 16 shots and seven of its first nine three-pointers, though the Dukes were able to keep the deficit to single digits throughout the opening period.
The Dragons used eight straight point late in the half to take a 43-34 lead, but JMU ripped off the final six points of the stanza to cut things to 43-40 heading into the break.
Second Half
JMU came out of halftime with five straight points to take the lead, but Drexel immediately responded with 10 straight points to go up, 53-45.
The Dukes would not lead again, but chipped away at the advantage until they tied things at 67-67 with 9:29 to go. After a lengthy stoppage in play, the Dragons used a 14-4 run to build a 10-point lead that they would not relinquish.
QUICK HITS
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Charles Falden hit four three-pointers on Thursday, the fifth time this season he's reached that mark - he had four such performances in his career prior to this season.
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Terrence Edwards matched his career high in scoring and bested his career high in rebounding on his way to his first-ever double-double.
- JMU has now had fewer than 10 turnovers twice this season, but has lost both contests.
UP NEXT
The Dukes will be right back in action this weekend, welcoming Delaware to the Atlantic Union Bank Center for a 4 p.m. matchup on Saturday, Jan. 29.
On Thursday, the Blue Hens were leading Towson, 38-29, when play was suspended due to unsafe playing conditions at SECU Arena. Delaware will bring a 14-7 (5-3) mark into Saturday's game.