Seahawks upend Dukes at home

Chris Labzda / senior photographer Senior forward/guard Dwayne Broyles looks for a passing lane.

JMU didn't receive hugs and kisses from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Saturday as the Seahawks defeated the Dukes, 66-56, in a Valentine's Day game.

"I thought it was a very physical game," head coach Sherman Dillard said. "That's the way [UNC-W] plays. They are noted for that."

There were several altercations after the whistle that involved freshman forward Cavell Johnson, who had a career-high 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Johnson also played a career-high 22 minutes.

"I am one to play with my heart," Johnson said. "A couple of times (during the confrontations), I was just trying to get us [motivated] to match their toughness."

Dillard said during the game day shoot-around he felt the team was lacking its usual pep. Members of the team reassured him that things were all right, but that wasn't the case.

The Dukes struggled early — connecting on only 25 percent of their field-goal attempts in the first half, which allowed UNC-W to jump out to a 34-19 halftime lead.

Falling behind early, like JMU did, was a crucial mistake because the Seahawks are known throughout the league for their attacking style defense.

"I could see it slipping away at that point," Dillard said. "My concern was against a team like [UNC-W], if you get down 15 [points], it's like being down 25 to most teams."

Aside from JMU's poor shooting exhibition, UNC-W knocked down a season-high, 11 3-pointers.

Guard T.J. Carter had a career-high night, scoring 17 points for the Seahawks, connecting on 5 of 7 from long range. His performance surprised the Dukes somewhat, according to junior guard Daniel Freeman, but the hot shooting by Carter was bound to happen, according to UNC-W coach Brad Brownell.

"For us to make 11 [3-pointers], I am sure coach Dillard is scratching his head," Brownell said.

[Carter] has worked and improved tremendously," Brownell added. "I've been saying all year that he is going to have a game like this."

The Seahawks' ability to score from the 3-point line helped open up the inside game, and that consistent balance is what Freeman attributed to an advantage for UNC-W on the defensive side of the ball.

"We were fortunate to shoot the ball really well tonight," Brownell said. "That just makes things so much easier for you."

Freeman scored 8 of his game-high 20 points in the first three minutes of the second half, but JMU still was not able to close in more than 9 points. At one point, the lead had ballooned to 51-30 for the Seahawks at the 13:41 mark and, from there, they just put the clamps on JMU.

"I give them credit," Freeman said. "They are a hard-nose group of guys."

UNC-W improved its record to 12-11, (8-7 in the Colonial Athletic Association), and JMU dropped to 7-16 (3-11 CAA) on the year.

The Dukes will play at Virginia Commonwealth University Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.