RICHMOND, VA – For the first time since 1994, James Madison University is headed to the NCAA Tournament, as the 3rd-seeded Dukes knocked off the top-seeded Northeastern University Huskies 70-57 in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game.
After both teams made a couple of quick baskets in the opening minutes, the Dukes pushed the tempo and went on a 23-to-1 run, taking a 40-18 lead into halftime. The first half must have felt like déjà vu of the semi-finals for the Huskies, who just a day earlier found themselves in an early 31-7 hole, before storming back to defeat fourth-seeded George Mason 69-67. Northeastern came out of the locker room with increased defensive pressure and converted several turnovers into quick buckets, opening the second half on a 25-11 run. A Derrico Peck layup with 8:23 left brought Northeastern to within eight at 51-43, but they would never get it closer. An A.J. Davis steal with 2:48 to go quickly turned into a Ron Curry dunk at the other end that brought the James Madison faithful to their feet and stretched the lead to an insurmountable 68-51 margin.
Davis led the way for the Dukes with 26 points (on 8-13 shooting) and seven rebounds. Rayshawn Gowins had a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards, while Devon Moore paced the Dukes with five assists and nine points.
Jonathan Lee carried the Huskies with 14 second-half points, and Marco Banegas-Flores added ten points off the bench.
This will be James Madison’s fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. Their 3-4 all-time record in the tournament includes first round wins over Georgetown, Ohio State and West Virginia in 1981, ’82, and ’83, respectively.
Scott Graham and John Thompson called the action on Westwood One Sports.
