JMU Takes Down Towson

You know you are becoming a good team when you turned the ball over more times than your opponent and only out-rebounded the opponent by 2. This is what happened tonight. Towson play JMU tough in the first part of the first half. About halfway through the first half the two teams were in a slug fest and were knotted at 15 a piece. Whatever Coach Brooks told his team during a time out must have worked because that was the last time the team was tied and it was the point at which JMU began to pull away. By halftime, JMU would open up a 15 point lead and would lead 40-25.

The second half was a continuation of the first half and surprisingly the inside game was stout. It had been stout all game long. There were a few times when the team played sloppy, but for the most part the team was exceptional. When it was all said and done, 5 players would end up in double figures, a true testament of the strong inside game. Kirby Burkholder led the Dukes with 15 points, 6 rebonds, and 4 assist; Tarik Hislop with 14 points, 5 assist; Giggets was a beast inside, scoring a double-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds; Shepherd was outstanding inside with 12 points; and Hall with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assist.

Giggets played well today and she deserves all the accolades thrown her way, she was tough, chased after the ball, and showed why she is a player to reckon with. Shepherd, what can I say, this has got to be one of her best games. She shot the ball well and she wasn't afraid to make the turn around jumper. Over the last few games, she has really come on strong.

Final: JMU wins 75-61.

Note: Gwathmey finished the game with 7 points, 6  rebounds. With Drexel losing tonight, JMU moves into 2nd place in the CAA.

Next game is Sunday at William and Mary starting at 2 PM. The Tribe are on a 3 game winning streak. They beat a good ODU squad this past Sunday, so I am sure they are looking to shock the Dukes. The last meeting between the two squads, JMU won 82-52.

Game notes: http://www.jmusports.com/newLiveStats/Basketball/index.dbml?GAME_STAT_ID=715605&db_oem_id=14400