Dukes fall in CAA opener
Staff Report
JMU sports: www.jmusports.com
Georgia State used a 9-4 run in the final minutes to pull away from a 40-40 tie and record a 49-44 victory over James Madison in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball season opener on Saturday afternoon at the Convocation Center.
GSU improved to 5-4 overall and 1-0 in the CAA. JMU had a four-game winning streak snapped to drop to 4-3 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
The Panthers led 20-16 at the half and maintained a lead of two to seven points for most of the second half. The Dukes finally tied the score for the first time at 40-40 on a jump shot by sophomore Julius Wells (Toledo, Ohio/Libbey) with 3:31 remaining.
The Panthers were able to convert five of their six free throw attempts in the final 43 seconds to seal the win.
Senior forward Dazzmond Thornton (Denver, Colo./East) poured in a career-high 16 points to lead JMU. Wells added 13 points and eight boards.
