Dukes Hold Off South Alabama, O’Regan Notches 200th Career Victory

Wednesday, February 5

Mobile, Ala.

8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT

James Madison University

20-4,12-0Sun Belt

South Alabama

4-18,0-11Sun Belt

James Madison

South Alabama

Dukes Hold Off South Alabama, O’Regan Notches 200th Career Victory

2/5/2025 10:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – James Madison knocked down 26-of-53 (.491) from the field and poured in 44 points in the paint to survive a second-half surge from South Alabama in a 76-62 win on Wednesday night in Sun Belt women's basketball action.

With the victory, Head Coach Sean O'Regan notched his 200th win at the helm of the program. O'Regan is the third coach in program history to reach 200 career wins, joining Kenny Brooks (337-122) and Shelia Moorman (302-134).

JMU (20-4, 12-0 SBC) sank 21-of-29 (.724) from the charity stripe and received 31 points from its bench to down the Jaguars (4-18, 0-11 SBC).

The Dukes have started conference play 12-0 for the seventh time in program history and are the first Sun Belt women's basketball program to start conference play 12-0 or better since Little Rock began the 2017-18 season 12-0.

Kseniia Kozlova led all played with 18 points, shooting 7-of-13 (.538) from the field to go along with eight rebounds and two assists. Ashanti Barnes finished with 12 points and 11 boards for her fourth double-double of the season and the sixth in her Division I career. Ro Scott chipped in with 13 points off the bench, while Bree Robinson added 11 points, four rebounds and four assists. Peyton McDaniel recorded nine points, five boards and a pair of steals in the win.

Four Jaguars scored in double figures, paced by Daniela Gonzalez with 17, followed by Rachel Leggette (16), Amyria Walker (15) and Terren Coffil (10). Gonzalez came away with a game-high six steals, while Leggette wrangles in a team-best eight rebounds.

How It Happened
First Quarter – JMU 25, USA 14

Ahead 12-10 out of the media timeout, the Dukes went on a 6-0 run to take an 18-10 lead at the 2:48 mark.
The Jaguars were held to 1-of-13 (.077) to close the opening frame, while JMU outscored South Alabama in the paint, 18-0.

Second Quarter – JMU 47, USA 22

The Dukes finished the first half with a 12-0 spurt and did not allow USA to score for the final 6:06.
The Jaguars shot 3-of-13 (.231) in the frame and committed eight turnovers. Through the first twenty minutes, South Alabama was held to 5-of-28 (.179) from the field.

Third Quarter – JMU 60, USA 41

JMU suffered a 4:03 scoring drought that coincided with a 7-0 South Alabama run as the Jaguars cut the deficit to 19 (56-35) at the media timeout.
USA took advantage of the Dukes' nine turnovers, turning them into nine points, with a 5-0 advantage in fast-break points.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 76, USA 62

South Alabama outscored JMU 21-16, forcing the Dukes to commit 10 turnovers in the frame.

Game Notes

The win marked the Dukes' 12th straight – the team's longest winning streak since recording 13 consecutive victories from Nov. 23, 2022, to Jan. 14, 2023.
James Madison is a perfect 3-0 in the all-time series against South Alabama, dating back to 2023.
JMU held an advantage in points off turnovers (22-17), while the Jaguars had an edge in fast-break points (18-13) and second-chance points (11-10).
The Dukes' 25 points in the first quarter are the most by the team in any first quarter this season.
JMU led by as much as 28, going ahead 54-26 at the 8:44 mark of the third quarter.
The Dukes have now won 20-plus games in each of the last three seasons and have reached 20 or more wins for the seventh time during O'Regan's regime.
With Barnes' performance, at least one JMU player has produced a double-double in six consecutive games.