Dukes in competitive CAA hunt

The JMU women’s basketball team continued its success though late December and early January, bringing its overall record to 8-4.

The Dukes are 1-2 in Colonial Athletic Association conference play, where they are tied up with five other teams. The University of Delaware and Towson University are knotted up for first place with records of 3-0.

"The CAA as a whole is going to be very difficult this season — anyone can beat anyone," coach Kenny Brooks said.

In non-conference play, the Dukes recorded wins over Charleston Southern University, Norfolk State and Cornell University throughout winter break. In conference play, they suffered losses to CAA opponents Old Dominion University and Virginia Commonwealth University.

The VCU game went into double overtime with the Dukes coming up on the short end, 86-76. Despite the loss, sophomores, center Meredith Alexis and guard Lesley Dickinson and freshman guard Tamera Young all posted double-figure point totals.

In tournament play, JMU competed in the Marriot Cavalier Classic hosted by the University of Virginia Dec. 28-29. After defeating American University in a close game, 63-61, the team went on to lose the championship game to UVa. 98-52.

Lesley Dickinson and Tamera Young received all-tournament honors in Charlottesville. Meredith Alexis posted her second double-double of the season in the Dukes’ victory over American. She since has had two more games with double figures in both points and rebounds.

Young has scored double figures in every game this season.

"Tamera hasn’t surprised me because I have high expectations for her," Brooks said. "She’s still really young, but she has made up for that with her athleticism and understanding of the game. It scares me to think about how good she will be as she matures."

Sophomore guard Andrea Benvenuto has missed the past six games due to injury, which has left the door open for other girls to step up.

"Lesley Dickinson has moved over to play point guard, and [sophomore guard] Shameena Felix has been seeing a lot more playing time," Brooks said. "Felix logged 41 minutes in our game against VCU."

"The conference is tough this year, and this means we have got to focus every night that we play," Brooks said. "ODU recently lost at home, and Towson was picked to come in last this season, and they are currently in first place. Anything can happen on any night."

Old Dominion had its 122 home-game winning streak broken by Delaware.

The Dukes will continue CAA competition this weekend against visiting George Mason University (1-2, 5-6) Friday and then will host Drexel (1-1, 6-4) Sunday at 2 p.m.