HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison trimmed a 13-point deficit to 64-62 with two minutes remaining, but could not complete the comeback, as the Dukes fell to Marshall, 66-64, at the Atlantic Union Bank Center on Wednesday night.
JMU (8-8, 1-3 Sun Belt) held Marshall (11-6, 3-1 SBC) to zero field goals over the final 6:56 and just 38.3 percent from the field, its second-lowest shooting percentage of the season.
Justin McBride paced the Dukes with 14 points, while Eddie Ricks III added 13 points and four rebounds. Preston Fowler reached double figures for the third time this season, scoring 10 points and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds.
Noah Otshudi led Marshall with 16 points while tying a team-high five rebounds. Jalen Speer finished with 15 points despite shooting 4-of-20 from the floor, and Wyatt Fricks pitched in 11 points.
How it Happened
First Half: James Madison 25, Marshall 36
• After a Cliff Davis layup opened the scoring, Marshall scored 12 unanswered to take a 10-point lead and force a JMU timeout.
• With the help of a pair of threes from Douglas, the Dukes managed to close the gap to four at the under-eight media timeout.
• JMU had eight turnovers to Marshall’s three, leading to 13 points for the Thundering Herd.
Second Half: Marshall 66, James Madison 64
• After exchanging baskets following the break, the Dukes went on a 10-3 run to cut Marshall’s advantage to six at the 14:12 mark.
• The Thundering Herd responded with five straight to grow their lead to 10 (61-51) at the under-eight media timeout.
• McBride converted a three-point play with 2:21 left to trim the deficit to 64-62, but Marshall kept the Dukes at bay and escaped with the win.
Game Notes
• JMU lost for just the third time at the Atlantic Union Bank Center under Spradlin, falling to 16-3.
• Preston Fowler finished with 10 points, reaching double figures for the third time this season.
• McBride finished with 14 points and now has 10 or more points in all but one game this season.
Up Next
JMU will host Old Dominion on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 4 p.m. inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
— JMU Athletics —
