Dukes Outlast Liberty in Hard-Fought Battle, 67-63

Wednesday, November 23

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

4-2,0-0Sun Belt

Liberty

2-2,0-0ASUN

Liberty

James Madison

11/23/2022 4:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Senior guard Kiki Jefferson scored 12 points in the final quarter, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the line to lift James Madison over Liberty, 67-63, on Wednesday afternoon inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center.

JMU (4-2) had its best outing from the charity stripe this season, finishing 23-for-25 (92.0%) in a physical game. Meanwhile, the Flames (2-2) proved to be the Dukes' toughest foe thus far on the boards as the teams tied with 41 apiece.

Jefferson produced a double-double, scoring 20 points and tying her career-high with 12 rebounds. Junior Claire Neff provided a spark off the bench, knocking down four three-pointers to total 14 points. Classmates Peyton McDaniel and Jamia Hazell also reached double figures with 11 and 10, respectively. McDaniel nearly had a double-double as well, coming away with nine rebounds. Freshman Kadidia Toure was a force under the basket, swatting a career-best two shots.

How It Happened

Both teams combined for 4-for-32 (12.5%) in the opening frame with the Dukes on top 10-6.
JMU maintained its advantage and went into the locker room with a 23-21 lead despite going scoreless for the final 2:13.
The Flames took a 24-23 lead with a three-pointer to start the second half. The slight edge was short-lived as Neff and McDaniel both knocked down two three-pointers to help make it a 48-40 game after three.
Liberty cut the lead to one with under three minutes remaining, 55-54. However, Jefferson made the most of her opportunities at the line, hitting 10-of-10 from the line for 12 total points in the final period. Hazell also chipped in with four points, highlighted by a physical layup down the stretch.

Game Notes

James Madison leads the all-time series 14-3 and has won eight of the last 10 contests.
The Dukes committed 10 turnovers, the team's lowest mark so far in the 2022-23 campaign.
JMU had four players score in double-digits for the first time since last season on Feb. 18 against the College of Charleston. Jefferson led the way against the Cougars with 20, followed by Hazell (11) and former Dukes Jaylin Carodine (10) and Madison Green (10).
James Madison and Liberty tied in rebounds at 41, the first time JMU has not won the rebounding battle this season.
With 20 points and 12 rebounds, Jefferson now boasts 14 career double-doubles and three in her senior campaign. Additionally, the guard's 20-point showing is her ninth straight scoring 20 or more, stretching back to last season.
Jefferson finished 16-for-17 (94.1%) from the charity stripe, one free throw shy of tying Kirby Burkholder's program record. Burkholder knocked down 17-of-18 (94.4%) in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament to bounce Gonzaga 72-63, on March 23.
Neff now has two games this season with at least three shots from deep, while McDaniel has connected on multiple three-pointers in four outings.

Up Next
The Dukes will get a break before heading east for a clash with VCU on Thursday, Dec. 1. The opening tip is set for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.