What was suppose to be a defensive battle and a game where Fordham only allowed 52 points a game turned into a feeding frenzy for the Dukes. The game started off with a Toia Giggets put up, and multiple 3's from Kirby Burkholder. Kirby was hot tonight-she was like ice, because even with hands in her face, she put a flame in the hearts of all Dukes, but froze hearts of the Rams. Unfortunately, toward the end of the first half after building a 13 point lead, Fordham would get within 6 points at the half.
The second half started just as well as the first half, but Fordham at the beginning was able to pull within 2 points, but that was the closest they will ever get. From then on, it was all JMU. JMU would win by 16 points.
So Kirby was the star of the game with 26 points, 10 rebounds (that's right, another double-double). Precious Hall had 14 points, Toia Giggets was a beast again, she has been absolutely awesome under the basket these last few games. She scored 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 4 steals. Jazmon Gwathmey was again amazing with her defense and nice looking shot and had 11 points and 4 rebounds. Kanita Shepherd played strong tonight and had a really nice block that did lead to a score on the other end of the floor.
I felt that Fordham was just over matched. We were a lot faster and more athletic than they were. We pretty much dictated tempo the whole game, but it helps when you are getting plays and blocks that frustrate players. I laughed hard at one play in the first half when Kanita was guarding their big and all the center could do was show frustration while making an ill advised shot. The facial expression she made before putting up a shot was priceless.
So the next game is at the Convocation Center at 4 PM on Saturday and JMU will host the Florida Gators. Florida is a very good team, reminds me a little bit like Syracuse in that they have to play all of their games away. They are a much taller team than Fordham. They have 3 players that can score and those three players score at least 11 points a game. They hold a .500 record at away games. I may be wrong on this, but they don't look like a team that loves to shoot the 3, although they do shoot the 3. They seem like a pretty good defensive team and a team that likes to shoot from inside.
Notes:
The one thing I noticed in the game against Fordham was that they were very good at getting separation and getting shots off. We need to limit that and not oversell, because it definitely burned us on a few occasions. Anyway, good job ladies and look forward to seeing you on Saturday...Go Dukes!
Box Score: http://admin.xosn.com/fls/14400/stats/wbasketball/2013/jmu0327.htm?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=14400
Dukes Won 77-61.
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