UNC-W edges out JMU

Cooper's last-second 3-pointer misses, Dukes lose

Drew Wilson / senior photographer David Cooper collapses to the floor following JMU's 3-point loss to the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

JMU had several opportunities to upset seventh-seeded University of North Carolina-Wilmington, but the 10th-seeded Dukes couldn't come up with a win.

A last second 3-point attempt by red-shirt freshman forward David Cooper hit off the back of the rim, allowing the Seahawks to escape with a 44-41 win in the first round of the men's Colonial Athletic Association Tournament in Richmond March 5.

After trailing for most of the game, the Dukes bounced back against a poor shooting UNC-Wilmington team. A 3-pointer by freshman forward Cavell Johnson gave JMU a 35-34 lead with under six minutes to play.

Down the stretch, JMU missed several free throws, as well as several other opportunities to score.

"We missed some crucial free throws down the stretch," senior guard Chris Williams said. "We gave up some rebounds and gave them a lot of second-chance points."

In the final minutes, a jump shot and a pair of free throws by UNC-W's John Goldsberry helped seal the Dukes' fate.

"Wilmington stepped up late and did all the things they had to do," coach Sherman Dillard said. "I thought there was a moment there where there was a window of opportunity for us to maybe take control of the game, and we let it slip away."

Down 43-39, senior forward Dwayne Broyles made a field goal to cut the lead to 2 points with 14 seconds left. The Seahawk's Halston Lane hit a free throw to push the lead to 44-41.

Following a 30-second timeout by the Seahawks, the Dukes set up for a final shot to tie the game. Broyles had the ball, but was double-teamed and got the ball to Cooper for the final shot.

"I was looking for a shot but I got double-teamed," said Broyles, a Third Team All-CAA selection. "I didn't want to force a shot, and I knew somebody had to be open. I saw Cooper wide open, and he put up a good shot — it was just a little strong."

Broyles finished with 19 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.

JMU opened the game on a bad note, quickly falling behind 16-5 in the first 11 minutes. The Dukes chipped away at the Seahawks lead and cut it to 24-20 at the break.

"I give credit to Madison," UNC-W coach Brad Brownwell said. "They made adjustments. We felt pressure in the second half."

As the Dukes made their run in the second half, junior guard Daniel Freeman — one of JMU's offensive sparks — picked up his fourth personal foul with 7:57 left in the game. Dillard took Freeman out of the game, but inserted him back in the lineup seconds later to shoot Williams' free throws. Williams was fouled, and injured his hand and was unable to shoot his own free throws.

Dillard left Freeman in the game, and he picked up his fifth foul jumping for a loose ball, fouling out of the game with 6:11 to play. Freeman finished with 8 points and seven rebounds.

With 3:33 to play, and the Dukes ahead 37-36, Cooper was charged with an offensive foul and Dillard picked up a technical foul for arguing the call with the officials. The two ensuing free throws by Lane gave the Seahawks a 38-37 advantage.

"I thought to get an offensive foul there — I thought the game was pretty physical," Dillard said. "I thought that may not be the right call at that point."

UNC-W went on to upset second-seeded Drexel University, but lost to George Mason University in the semifinals. Virginia Commonwealth University won the CAA Tournament, beating the Patriots, 55-54.

The Dukes finished the season with a 7-21 overall record. Dillard resigned as the JMU coach two days later.

In addition to Broyles' Third Team All-CAA honors, freshman guard Ray Barbosa was selected to the CAA All-Rookie Team.. Barbosa averaged 11.5 points per game.

Broyles led the Dukes in scoring, averaging 15.4 points this season. He finished his career 16th on the Dukes' all-time scoring list with 1,137 points.