Getting back on track

JMU looks to rebound in season finale after 31-point loss to ODU

Amy Paterson / photo editor Sophomore point guard Andrea Benvenuto goes for the ball against sophomore guard Shameena Felix during practice Tuesday afternoon. The Dukes (10-7, 17-9) face the University of Delaware Blue Hens (14-2, 22-4) Thursday night at the Convocation Center.

Coming off its worst loss of the season, courtesy of Old Dominion University, the JMU women’s basketball team had one of its most intense practices in recent memory.

"They dominated us," JMU sophomore point guard Andrea Benvenuto said. "We weren’t competing and this practice was for us to go out there and prove to [the coach] that we have the heart, that we’re willing to work and compete and do it what it takes to win because that’s what it all comes down to."

The practice was the team’s first after being beat down by the Monarchs 92-61 in Norfolk. Old Dominion (14-2 Colonial Athletic Association, 18-7 overall) is in second place in the CAA behind the University of Delaware (15-2 CAA, 22-4), whom the Dukes meet Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Convocation Center, their last tune-up before the CAA tournament.

"If we look too far ahead, we’ll be going into the tournament on a two-game losing streak," JMU sophomore guard Lesley Dickinson said. "Especially now, after that loss that we suffered. We have to focus on us and what we need to do to beat our next opponent, and our next opponent is Delaware."

The Fighting Blue Hens boast the league’s leading scorer in Tiara Malcom, who averages 16.5 points per game and currently is 11 free throws short of the CAA career record.

She also is the reigning CAA Player of the Week after dropping 19 points against Drexel University Feb. 24 and a career-high 30 points on 8 for 16 shooting against Hofstra University Feb. 27.

She’s one of the most dominant players in the league," JMU coach Kenny Brooks said. "She does a great job of establishing the post-position and taking advantage of it by drawing a lot of fouls, and she’s a fantastic free-throw shooter."

The last time the Dukes and Hens met, Delaware defeated JMU 66-55 in Wilmington, Del.

"We competed against Delaware at Delaware, and had a chance to win in the last moments," Brooks said. "We feel like we can beat anyone that we play if we come out and play like we’re capable of playing."

After Delaware, JMU moves on to the CAA tournament in Fairfax where it will likely be a four seed and face fifth-seeded Towson University. The last time the Dukes faced the Tigers it was Feb. 24 and JMU bested Towson 73-61 at Towson.

"As a team, I think that was probably one of our best games," Dickinson said.

Against the Tigers, the Dukes posted four players in double-digit points, two of whom finished with double-doubles. The first was Dickinson, who led JMU with 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds while dishing a career-high six assists.

Sophomore center Meredith Alexis was the other who racked up her 11th double-double of the season, and her fourth in as many games. Alexis scored 18 points while pulling down 16 boards.

Freshman forward Tamera Young fell one rebound short of a double-double while scoring 12 points and sophomore forward Shirley McCall rounded out the scoring quartet with 12 of her own.

"If I can get a double-double, if Meredith can get a double-double and Tamera — if we can get the usual out of her — that’s what we need," Dickinson said.

The Dukes will need that effort against Delaware tonight at the Convocation Center, where it will be Senior Night for JMU. Center Krystal Brooks and guard Mary Beth Culbertson are the Dukes’ only seniors.

Tip-off is at 7 p.m.