Women's Basketball 2/22/2009 12:00:00 AM None

Heartbreak, 63-62

RICHMOND, VA. (Feb. 19) ? A deep three-point basket by Sarah Williams with 4.9 seconds provided the winning margin for James Madison in a 63-62 decision over Georgia State in a Colonial Athletic Association game Sunday afternoon at the Sports Arena.

Georgia State had taken the lead at 62-60 with 14.3 seconds on a drive by Crystal Johnson. Madison got Williams loose deep behind the three-point line off a screen and she hit her fifth trey of the game at 4.9 seconds. State moved into position to try to re-gain the lead as Johnson got into the paint but the penetration over a double-team and contact did not allow a good shot.

The lead changed hands nine times and the score was tied six times as the momentum shifted. The wild and wooly game saw two Georgia State players foul out, one JMU player foul out and a double-technical foul on a pair of players. A review of a three-point basket by State with 4:42 was changed to a two. Georgia State hustled to grab 22 offensive rebounds and control the boards 38-29, as it sought an answer to the 61 percent first half shooting and 55 percent game shooting by the Dukes. The crowd of 897 fans voiced its approval and disapproval loud and often.

Georgia State (11-15, 3-12) was led by junior forward Danyiell McKeller, who scored 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds as she continues her comeback after a month's layoff with an injury. Point guard Crystal Johnson was 5-for-6 from the field for 12 points with 7 assists as she continues to lead the CAA. Brittany Hollins had 8 points, including two key free throws with 50 seconds to tie the game, plus 4 assists and 3 steals.

James Madison (18-8, 11-4) got 22 points from Williams, who was razor-sharp with 8-of-11, including 5-of-8 from three-point range over defenders, as she also led the Dukes with 7 rebounds. Brittany Crowell added 10 points and 6 rebounds. JMU shot 61 percent the first half (14-of-23, with 4-of-5 treys) and 54.8 percent for the game (23-of-42) and needed every one of that high percentage to get the win.

“This is another tough loss for us, but we played with a lot of heart and desire,” said head coach Lea Henry. “I am disappointed for the kids because they've been doing a lot of right things these past few weeks but not getting the rewards of wins. But, if we keep battling and playing hard, we can finish strong and be ready to make a run in the tournament. We certainly were in position to win again today, but we can look at ourselves and the missed open shots that didn't go in and not worry about referee calls or no-calls.” Georgia State lost a last-possession 63-60 game Thursday at first-place VCU, a 68-66 overtime game Feb. 12 at Northeastern, plus a 63-59 loss at George Mason in the past two weeks.

Today, Georgia State started strong and built a 21-16 lead through the first 11 minutes of the game by making five three-point baskets to build that lead. But, James Madison had a 7-1 run in the final two and a half minutes to open a 36-27 halftime advantage.

In the second half, JMU had its largest leads of the game, 40-29, with 16 minutes to play and 52-41 with 9:52 when State upped the defensive pressure and starting getting second-chance baskets. A three-point shot by Hollins with 3:47 brought the game back even at 58.

Georgia State plays host to CAA rival UNC Wilmington on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Sports Arena.

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