Balanced Scoring Leads Dukes Past Coppin State, 84-70

Sunday, November 9

Harrisonburg, Va.

1 p.m.

James Madison University

2-1,0-0Sun Belt

Coppin State

0-3,0-0MEAC

Coppin St.

James Madison

11/9/2025 5:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Six different Dukes scored in double figures as James Madison men's basketball took care of Coppin State, 84-70, at the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Sunday afternoon.

JMU (2-1) hit a season-high 14 threes and shot 45.8 percent from the field, while limiting Coppin State (0-3) to 18 field goals. The Dukes led by as many as 24 points and never trailed.

Cliff Davis led JMU with 16 points, knocking down four threes. Eddie Ricks III matched his career high in points, tallying 13 on a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor. Freshman Preston Fowler added 11 points in 21 minutes off the bench while leading the Dukes with six rebounds.

Despite being out-rebounded 35-33, JMU forced 18 Coppin State turnovers, leading to 18 fastbreak points. The Dukes also had six blocks, as Christian Brown swatted three to lead the effort in the paint.

Demarionatay Hall recorded a double-double to lead Coppin State, recording 13 points and 11 rebounds. Taj Thweatt had 18 points in 28 minutes off the bench to lead the Eagles in scoring.

How it Happened
First Half - James Madison 43, Coppin State: 28

JMU started off hot from the three-point line, shooting 4-5 from deep to put the Dukes up 17-11 at the first media timeout.
James Madison used a 20-3 run to open the lead to 20 (40-20) with 3:40 left in the half, holding the Eagles without a field goal for over eight minutes.
The Eagles trimmed the lead to 15 at the break, as a three-pointer from Perkins at the buzzer brought the teams into the half.

Second Half - James Madison 84, Coppin State 70

A pair of Taj Thweatt threes allowed CSU to cut their deficit down to 11 at the first media timeout.
The Dukes maintained their lead for the remainder of the contest, growing it to as large as 24, to close out the team's second home victory of the season.

Game Notes

JMU improved to 15-2 at the Atlantic Union Bank Center under Preston Spradlin.
The Dukes are now 5-2 against Coppin State.
The Dukes made 14 three-pointers in the contest, the most since knocking down 16 against ULM on Jan. 18, 2024.
JMU made 10 of those 14 threes in the first half, the most under Spradlin. The Dukes also notched their most first-half points (43) of the 2025-26 season.
Davis made four triples, the 24th time in his Division I career that he has made four or more.
Ricks III finished with 13 points, matching his JMU high. He previously scored 13 against Midway on Dec. 29, 2024. He also hit three 3-pointers, setting a career-best.
Brown's three blocks brought his season total to 14. He entered this contest leading the NCAA with 11 denials.

Up Next
The Dukes will head to Farmville, Va., for a game on Wednesday, Nov. 12, against the Longwood Lancers. The game will stream on ESPN+ with Sam Kovan (PxP) and Kion Brown (analyst).