HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (JMU Athletics) – James Madison men’s basketball led by 10 in the second half, but Marshall mounted a late comeback to down the Dukes, 77-72, on Saturday afternoon at the Cam Henderson Center.
JMU (9-10 2-5 Sun Belt) scored 19 points in the first six minutes of the half to race out to a 55-45 lead, but Marshall (12-7, 4-3 SBC) stormed back and took a 69-68 lead with three minutes and held off the Dukes in the closing moments for the win.
Cliff Davis scored 20 points with a season-high six three-pointers – all in the second half – to lead JMU in scoring. Bradley Douglas finished with 15 points and four assists off the bench, while Preston Fowler made his first collegiate start and recorded eight points and a career-high 10 boards.
Jalen Speer scored 22 points to lead the Thundering Herd offensively, while Noah Otshudi finished with 17 points. Matt Van Komen led Marshall with 13 rebounds while adding seven points.
How It Happened
First Half: Marshall 36, James Madison 32
• A three from Bradley Douglas gave the Dukes a 7-6 lead, but Marshall answered with an 8-2 run to lead 14-9 with 10:33 left in the half.
• JMU used an 8-0 run to take a 30-29 lead as Ricks III capped the spurt with a free throw.
• The Thundering Herd ended the half on a 6-2 run to lead by four at the break.
Second Half: Marshall 77, James Madison 72
• JMU connected on six of its first nine threes of the half to take a 51-45 lead with 14:58 left in the half. Davis led the charge, draining five.
• The Dukes stretched their lead to 55-45 and led 60-50 before Marshall began its charge. The Thundering Herd used a 17-5 run to take a 67-65 lead at 3:45 and held on the rest of the way for the win.
Game Notes
• Kose Egbule made his first Division I start, finishing with a steal and two assists in 11 minutes.
• Freshman Preston Fowler made the first start of his career, finishing with eight points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
• Douglas finished with 15 points off the bench. Through 18 games, the fifth-year guard has scored 10 or more points 11 times.
• Davis finished with 20 points and a season-high six threes. It is his second game with 20 or more points this season. Through seven conference games, Davis is shooting 42.3 percent (22-of-52) from deep.
— JMU Athletics —
