I think I am going to call this year's Lady Dukes, the Gemini team. Because you never know which team you are going to get. Will you get the team that played exceptionally well both offensively and defensively or will you get the team that we saw today? Today's team missed easy layups, didn't defend well, nor did they rebound well at all. It was a game that if they had gotten a few more rebounds, a few more layups and made some defensive stops, they would have won the game. I am going to give mad props to Precious Hall, because when it seemed like the Dukes were not getting it done, she would come in and give an offensive and defensive boost. She had a career high of 11 points today. So she gets the mad props award.
Richmond made their shots, including going 22-27 at the free throw line. Put that against JMU going 20-29 at the free throw line and you can see the difference. It just wasn't the free throw line that Richmond was dominant. JMU had no answer for Becca Wann who scored 21 points, but also retrieved 15 rebounds, many of those coming from the offensive end. She also went 2-4 from the 3 point line. Another player who had a big game and didn't seem like she missed much was Kristina King who scored 29 points. Richmond screened really well today and too be honest that is how on several occasions were able to get open three points. But another reason was because of missed defensive assignments. For example, in today's post game presser, Coach Brooks stated how Burkholder allowed 10 points in the first half while playing on defense. In other words, JMU was not disciplined on defense like they should have been.
JMU had three players who scored double digits. Tarik Hislop with 22 points, Kirby Burkholder with 14 points, and Precious Hall with 11 points. JMU's best rebounder was Crystal Ross who had 10 rebounds. A positive for Newman today, who did foul out late in the game, she recorded her 120th block and has moved up to 2nd in all time blocks.
Today's final 70-66 Richmond. Notes and video posted at http://www.jmusports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=14400&ATCLID=205819437
Also of note, JMU shot just 28% from the floor. Angela Mickens did play.
JMU's next game is against Liberty on Tuesday at the Convo at 7 PM. Let's hope that JMU finds their identity and players start to step up for the Dukes.
I have seen them play better but Richmond had the gift of making free throws. Everything they put up went in. Because of that,JMU had their backs to the way almost the whole game.The one bright
ReplyDeletespot was when JMU went up by one point late in the second half but it did not last long. Hopefully, they can get their act together against Liberty on Tuesday night.