Dukes get revenge

Carolyn Walser / senior photographer Freshman forward Tamera Young shoots over VCU's Miranda Smith.

The last time the JMU women’s basketball team played Virginia Commonwealth University, it was in Richmond and the Dukes lost to the Rams in double-overtime, 86-79.

Sunday at the Convocation Center, it was time for the rematch.

The Dukes put together a 23-2 run midway through the second half en route to a 74-60 win before a crowd of 1,146.

"We’re really happy we pulled this one out," JMU sophomore forward Shirley McCall said. "It’s getting to the point where we’re just smacking teams."

JMU’s list of "smacked" teams has been getting rather lengthy of late.

After downing VCU, the Dukes are riding a five-game win streak in which they’ve handed losses to George Mason University, Hofstra University, the College of William & Mary and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington — all Colonial Athletic Association foes.

"It’s been great," JMU coach Kenny Brooks said. "Today, I told them, ‘Let’s not back into this win — let’s stay aggressive.’ They’re understanding the situations and that’s part of growing up and becoming a better team."

The Dukes have three regular-season games remaining and currently occupy fourth place in the CAA. Of those three games, two are against the University of Delware and Old Dominion Universtiy. The Blue Hens and Lady Monarchs sit one and two respectively in the conference standings.

"We just have to have a positive attitude about the next three games," McCall said. "And I’m ready to play those next three teams."

Sunday against the Rams, the Dukes struggled early — going into the locker rooms down 31-28 at the half.

"We put together a good first half," VCU senior forward Maria Giovannetti said. "In the second half, we got undisciplined and didn’t rebound. They scored everything in the paint and we didn’t make them work on offense."

The result was JMU finishing with five players in double-digit point totals.

The Dukes were led by sophomore guard Lesley Dickinson who scored 16. She was followed by sophomore center Meredith Alexis and freshman forward Tamera Young, who both dropped 15 points apiece.

McCall and senior center Krystal Brooks rounded out the quintet, adding 11 and 10, respectively.

"We played as good as we have all year in the second half," Kenny Brooks said. "I’m very proud of that second half. We didn’t have to rely on just one person and that shows with five players in double-figures."

JMU pulled away mostly by way of free-throw shooting. The Dukes made 11 of 12 during their 23-2 run and opened the lead from 1-point, 40-39 to 20 points, 61-41.

"We stress the importance of free-throws," Kenny Brooks said. "They know they have to step up and knock them down. If you miss them, it changes the whole complexion of the game. It allowed us to extend the lead."

JMU hits the road for its next game, traveling north to challenge the Tigers of Towson University in a 7 p.m. tip at the Towson Center.

VCU 31 29 — 60
JMU 28 46 — 74

JMU (8-7 CAA, 16-8) — Tamera Young 15, Shirley McCall 11, Meredith Alexis 15, Lesley Dickinson 16, Andrea Benvenuto 5, Shameena Felix, Nina Uqdah 2, Jasmin Lawrence, Mary Beth Culbertson, Krystal Brooks 10, April Gratton. Totals 25-51 19-26 74. 3-point goals: Young 2, McCall 2, Benvenuto.

VCU (4-11 CAA, 8-16) — Maria Giovannetti 5, Lauren Hogan 16, Kristina Cesnaviciute, Michele Cosel 7, LaKea Jones 6, Meagan Evans 7, Krystal Vaughn 8, Vera Chistova 3, Miranda Smith 8, Brittany Pinkney. Totals 22-59 12-20 60. 3-point goals: Giovannetti, Cosel, Evans, Chistova.