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Fourth Quarter Run Propels WVU Past JMU
December 20, 2015 07:46 PM | Women's Basketball
WINTER PARK, Fla. - A 12-0 run in the fourth quarter propelled the West Virginia University women’s basketball team to a 69-62 victory over James Madison in the Florida Sunshine Classic at Warden Arena on the campus of Rollins College.
After three quarters, the Mountaineers (9-2) trailed 47-43. JMU (6-3) outscored WVU 23-13 in the third quarter to take a lead. Bria Holmes three-pointer at the 6:40 mark cut the game to 53-52 and sparked the West Virginia 12-point run. The Dukes were held scoreless for four minutes until Ashley Perez banked a triple. The Mountaineers used a Holmes jumper and six made free throws to seal the Mountaineers’ seventh consecutive victory.
“I am proud of our team’s energy and effort in a quality win over James Madison,” said coach Mike Carey. “We never gave up and continue to improve each game. Now, we need to refocus and get ready for Indiana tomorrow.”
Four Mountaineers reached double-figures in the contest. Holmes paced WVU with 16 points, four assists, three blocks and two steals. The New Haven, Connecticut, native moved up to eighth on WVU’s all-time scoring list with 1,609 points, passing Olayinka Sanni (1,602).
Lanay Montgomery matched a career-high with 15 points and grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds in the win. Teana Muldrow made 4-of-7 from the field, finishing the night with 14 points and seven boards. Freshman Tynice Martin added 11 points and dished out four assists.
WVU connected on 45.3 percent shooting (24-of-53) from the field, while holding JMU to 38.1 percent shooting (24-of-63). The Mountaineers banked four triples, while the Dukes knocked down eight three-pointers. JMU narrowly bested WVU in the rebound column 36-34. WVU dished out 17 assists, collected eight steals and blocked six shots in the win. Overall, Sunday’s contest saw the game tied six times and 17 lead changes.
JMU’s Ashley Perez netted a game-high 33 points after knocking down 12-of-21 from the field and making 7-of-13 from three-point range. Jazmon Gwathmey, the CAA Preseason Player of the Year, was held in check with nine points.
The lead changed nine times in the opening quarter. West Virginia pushed its lead to 17-13 with a Montgomery layup. However, JMU cut the game to 19-18 to end the opening quarter with a Kayla Cooper-Williams score.
There were three additional lead changes in the second quarter, but a Teana Muldrow foul and layup set up momentum for the rest of the stanza. The Mountaineers reeled off 11 consecutive points and took a 30-24 lead into the locker room at the half.
Offensively, WVU shot 41.4 percent (12-of-29) from the field, while limiting James Madison to 34.5 percent shooting (10-of-29). The Dukes did win the rebound margin, 20-15. However, WVU scored 11 points off 11 JMU turnovers. Montgomery led the team with nine points, while JMU’s Perez netted a half-leading 15.
James Madison used a series of runs in the third quarter to outscore WVU 23-13. JMU opened on a 7-0 run to come from an eight point deficit and take the lead. The Dukes then used a four-point swing at the end of the quarter to take a 47-43 lead. WVU’s field goal percentage dipped below 40, while JMU improved to 42 percent.
Holmes’ three-pointer at the 6:40 mark gave the Mountaineer offense a much needed spark as WVU used a 12-point run to take command. James Madison was held scoreless for four minutes until Perez hit a triple with 1:40 remaining. Holmes once again hit a crucial jumper and WVU made six free throws to seal its seventh consecutive victory.
West Virginia concludes the Florida Sunshine Classic on Monday, Dec. 21, in a 7:15 p.m. tipoff against Indiana. Jeff Culhane and Liz Repella will have the call locally on 94.3 WRLF FM, online at WVUsports.com and via the WVU Gameday app. Additionally, a free video stream link of Monday's contest will be available at WVUsports.com or by accessing RollinsSports.com.
NOTES: Sophomore guard Chania Ray made her WVU debut and started on Sunday … Lanay Montgomery matched a career-high with 15 points, tying her previous mark of 15 set against Marshall last season … Bria Holmes registered her 78th double-figure scoring game … Holmes tied a career-high with three blocks … Holmes’ 16 points moved her to No. 8 on WVU’s all-time scoring ledger with 1,609 points … WVU is now 9-0 this season when leading at the half.
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