Backlash

Rams avenge home defeat

Carolyn Walser / senior photographer JMU sophomore guard Ray Barbosa skies for the rebound against most of VCU.

Last time JMU played Virginia Commonwealth University, it was Jan. 26 and the Dukes upset VCU 66-58 on the Rams’ home court.

"I don’t believe in good losses," VCU coach Jeff Capel said. "Every loss is bad. It was embarrassing last Wednesday to say that someone played harder than us, but sometimes in life, you’ve got to take a step backwards to go forward."

Now, fresh off an upset of its own (VCU defeated Colonial Athletic Association leader Old Dominion University Saturday), the Rams rolled into the Convocation Center Monday night looking for revenge.

"We beat them on their home floor," JMU sophomore forward Chris Cathlin said. "We knew they were going to try to embarrass us."

Led by forwards Nick George and Michael Doles, the Rams made their intentions known early, getting off to 23-6 start in the first eight minutes, on their way to a 70-43 routing of JMU before 3,444 at the Convo.

"[VCU] is a really good basketball team," JMU coach Dean Keener said. "They are one of three or four teams that could win this thing on a neutral court in March."

In the opening minutes, George took control of the game. The 6-foot-6-inch, 205-lb. Manchester, England, native kicked off the game, going 5 for 5 from the floor, scoring 11 points. He finished with 16.

"We were just getting the ball in the right places so that we could get off the shot we wanted," George said. "Then the rest of the guys joined in."

Doles was "the rest of the guys." He led all scorers with 18 points, going 6 of 9 from the floor with a 3-pointer, while shooting a perfect 5 of 5 from the free-throw line.

"Losing to [JMU] definitely woke us up," Doles said. "If we don’t have that energy, anyone can get us. This is the way we need to play every night."

Down 11 at halftime 39-28, JMU saw all hope disappear in the second half. VCU put the Dukes away, scoring 12 unanswered points in the first five minutes, which was in the midst of a 20-5 run that saw VCU get out to a game-high lead of 28 points with 7:20 to play.

"The first five minutes of any second half are key," Doles said. "We knew if we could come out strong then, then we could control the game.

"I think this is the first time we’ve won by 20 or more points. It was a learning experience. We learned how to put a team away when they’re down."

JMU is certainly down. JMU’s leading scorer Monday was sophomore Ray Barbosa, who dropped 12 points after scoring 28 against Drexel University Saturday. Cathlin was next in line with 10 points and, after that, the next-highest was 6.

"We just have such a hard time scoring," Keener said. "It’s really hard to sustain a run when you have difficulty scoring. I think we had 14 points in the first half from our starters. You’re not going to win a D-I basketball game with that."

The news doesn’t get any better. Senior guard Daniel Freeman, who has been out since Dec. 4, 2004, is likely lost for the season due to a stress fracture in his right foot. However, the Dukes will reassess the situation in four weeks.

JMU is considering a medical redshirt — which Freeman is eligible for, Keener said. The rule is that a player may only play in 20 percent of his or her team’s games to qualify. Thus far, Freeman has seen action in four of 18 games.

"It’s tough," Barbosa said. "He’s a very good player and a great leader. But we’re not going to give up on this yet. We’ve still got the CAA tournament. Anything is possible."

VCU 39 31 – 70
JMU 28 15 – 43

VCU (7-3 CAA, 11-8) – Michael Doles 18, Nick George 16, Calvin Roland 3, B.A. Walker 6, Jesse Pellot-Rosa 6, Renardo Dixon, Michael Anderson 4, Julian Capel, Jamel Shuler 8, Alexander Harper 6, Derrick Reid, Sam Faulk 3. Totals 27 8-14 70. 3-point goals: George 2, Walker 2, Harper 2, Doles, Anderson.

JMU (2-8 CAA, 4-14) – Ray Barbosa 12, Cavell Johnson 6, Gabriel Chami 2, Chris Clarke 3, Jomo Belfor, Ulrich Kossepka, David Cooper 5, Eddie Greene-Long 2, Jason McGraw, John Naparlo, John Goodman 3, Chris Cathlin 10. Totals 17 6-15 43. 3-point goals: Barbosa, Clarke, Goodman.