Dukes roll over Seahawks

Jonathan Taylor / contributing photographer Sophomore guard Lesley Dickinson looks to dish inside during JMU's games against the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Sunday at the Convocation Center. Dickinson finished with 6 points.

Three minutes into the second half, the JMU women’s basketball team sat atop the scoreboard with a 14-point lead, 39-25.

Five minutes later, the Dukes found themselves up 2, 39-37 after the University of North Carolina-Wilmington went on a 12-0 run.

"We called the timeout and were determined to not let them back in the game," senior guard Mary Beth Culbertson said. "We didn’t want a close game — we had to put them away."

After the timeout, the Dukes promptly scored 7 unanswered points to push their lead up to 9 en route to a 72-50 win over the Seahawks Sunday afternoon at the Convocation Center.

"They were talking amongst themselves before I got to the huddle," JMU coach Kenny Brooks said. "They picked up the defense and we got some transition baskets."

Culbertson did her part, knocking down one of her four three-pointers during JMU’s rally.

Sophomore center Meredith Alexis added 4 points to JMU’s 7 unanswered on her way to 13 points total, while racking up 12 boards.

Culbertson finished with 12 — all of which came on buckets from beyond the arc.

"They were 10 of 15 from the three-point line," UNC-W coach Ann Hancock said. "They knocked down their open shots when they had to. It seems like they never missed."

Also knocking down open shots was JMU freshman guard Tamera Young. She subbed in with eight minutes to play and immediately caught fire, draining a mid-range jumper.

Young finished as JMU’s leading scorer, posting 17 points — 13 of which came after the intermission, bolstered by three three-pointers.

"It got me excited when I hit the three’s," Young said. "I was open and had confidence in my shot."