JMU Hands Massachusetts First Home Loss

Sunday, February 8

Amherst, Mass.

12 p.m.

James Madison University

18-8,9-4Sun Belt

Massachusetts

16-5,8-2MAC

James Madison

Massachusetts

2/8/2026 2:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Game Book

AMHERST, Mass. – Peyton McDaniel tied her season high of 29 points, as James Madison dominated the glass, 46-26, for a 71-57 victory over Massachusetts inside the Mullins Center on Sunday afternoon to hand the Minutewomen their first home loss of the 2025-26 season.

The Dukes (18-8, 9-4 Sun Belt) used their 19 offensive rebounds to record 17 second-chance points, compared to just seven offensive boards for two second-chance points for UMass (16-5, 8-2 MAC). JMU also knocked down 10-of-24 (.417) from behind the arc and dished out 22 assists on 27 made field goals.

McDaniel finished shooting 11-of-22 (.500) from the field and 5-of-8 (.625) from three to go with 11 rebounds for her 28th career double-double. Grace McDonough went a perfect 5-for-5 from the field for 10 points and grabbed a career-high eight boards. Stephenson produced nine points and led all players with six assists, while Delilah Soltys chipped in with nine points off the bench, tying her career high. Bree Robinson registered eight points and five helpers in the win.

For Massachusetts, Yahmani McKayle and Allie Palmieri each finished with 15 points, but shot a combined 9-of-26(.346) from the floor. Lilly Ferguson came in as a reserve, leading the team in rebounds (7) and assists (5).

How It Happened
First Quarter – JMU 22, UMass 19

The Dukes went ahead 22-14 before the Minutewomen closed on a 5-0 run to make it a three-point game after one.
McDaniel dealt most of the damage, registering 11 points, while Stephenson and Soltys added six apiece.

Second Quarter – JMU 35, UMass 32

JMU led by as much as eight (22-14) at the 4:14 mark; however, Massachusetts took its first lead of the game with a late 9-0 run, giving it a 32-31 edge.
Following a block by Angela Williams, Stephenson pushed transition in the waning seconds, finding McDonough underneath the basketball for a layup at the buzzer for a 35-32 JMU lead heading into the locker room.

Third Quarter – JMU 55, UMass 40

After going back and forth early in the third, the Dukes pulled away with an 11-0 run, holding the Minutewomen scoreless for a 53-38 JMU advantage late in the frame.
The Dukes limited UMass to 4-of-21 (.190) from the field, including 0-for-6 from three.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 71, UMass 57

A driving layup by Stephenson put the Dukes ahead by 21 (66-45) – their biggest lead of the game.
JMU turned the ball over nine times, while McKayle scored six points.

Game Notes

JMU held an advantage in points in the paint (30-28), fast-break points (22-8), and second-chance points (17-2).
The Dukes lead Massachusetts 3-0 in the all-time series, dating back to 2000.
For the first time in program history, James Madison dished out 20-plus assists in four straight games, producing 22 helpers today.
Across the last four games, the Dukes have trailed for just 38 seconds.
JMU is 4-2 (.667) in MAC-SBC Challenge games and has won four straight.
UMass lost at home for the first time since dropping a 42-40 contest against Rhode Island on Feb. 23, 2025.
The Minutewomen's 57 points were a season low.