Goss, Brooks, King too much for JMU

Amy Paterson / photo editor Junior guard Jomo Belfor attacks the hoop during JMU's 75-66 loss to Drexel Staurday.

The Drexel University Dragons came into the Convocation Center Saturday with a 7-0 all-time record against the Dukes.

Despite a career-high 30 points from JMU sophomore forward Cavell Johnson, Drexel continued their dominance, winning 75-66. The Dukes’ sixth-straight loss dropped their record to 4-18 overall and 2-12 in the Colonial Athletic Association.

One bright spot in the Dukes’ loss was Johnson. Coming off a then career-high 21-point effort against Hofstra University Wednesday, Johnson topped that performance Saturday with a career-best 30 points on 13 of 18 from the floor.

"I’m not going to get too comfortable and let up," Johnson said. "I’m going to keep playing harder each game. By no means is this reassuring to the point where I’m going to ease up."

JMU coach Dean Keener said the mental aspect of Johnson’s game has shown the most improvement.

"That’s some good production from a kid who’s starting to grow up," Keener said. "He has really grown up mentally."

After trailing by as much as 10, the Dukes ended the first half with a flourish to go into the locker room down 34-28 at halftime. Johnson scored the final 4 points of the half, including a breakaway dunk as time expired.

In the second half, the Dukes came out strong — led once again by Johnson. Johnson scored 10 of the Dukes’ first 14 points of the half, as JMU took the lead 41-40 with 15:43 left in the game.

Down 42-40 with 14:45 left in the game, Drexel quickly regrouped and went on its biggest run of the game. Drexel outscored the Dukes 24-8 over the next nine minutes, and put the game out of reach 64-50 with 5:46 left. Drexel was led by senior forward Sean Brooks, who scored 12 points in the second half and finished with 15 points and nine rebounds overall.

The task of guarding Brooks became harder as JMU junior forward David Cooper and sophomore center Eddie Greene-Long got into foul trouble in the second half. After the game, Cooper said that containing Drexel’s 6-foot, 6-inch, 250-lb. power forward grew more difficult as the game went on.

"In the first half we did a pretty good job on him," Cooper said. "He’s such a physical guy though, and it just got tough to stop him in the second half."

Facing a Drexel team that beat them 88-60 on in their first meeting Jan. 29, the Dukes kept the game much closer this time around.

"I don’t think our guys backed down," Keener said. "I can’t fault our effort today or our effort all year."

JMU is next in action Wednesday when they travel to Williamsburg to challenge the Tribe of William & Mary in a 7 p.m. tip.

Drexel 34 41 — 75
JMU 28 38 — 66

Drexel (9-5 CAA, 13-9) — Danny Hinds 7, Jeremiah King 15, Sean Brooks 15, Bashir Mason 9, Phil Goss 19, Kenell Sanchez 6, Frank Elegar, Chaz Crawford 2, Dominick Mejia 2, Matt Stevenson. Totals 20-40 30-39 75. 3-point goals: Hinds 2, King, Mason, Goss.

JMU (2-12 CAA, 4-18) — David Cooper 2, Ray Barbosa 9, Gabriel Chami 2, Chris Clarke, Jomo Belfor 13, Ulrick Kossekpa 6, Eddie Greene-Long 2, Jason McGraw, John Naparlo 2, John Goodman, Cavell Johnson 30. Totals 23-58 16-27 66. 3-point goals: Belfor 2, Barbosa, Johnson.