Harrisonburg, VA - Georgia State battled first-place James Madison to the finish before the host Dukes finally claimed a 62-55 win before 2,002 at the JMU Convocation Center.
The visiting Panthers wouldn't quit as they closed to six at 52-46 with 7:50, but could never get closer than six again at 61-55. James Madison (16-6, 9-1) won the game at the free throw line, making 26-of-36, while visiting GSU could get to the line less than half as many times with 17 trips, making only seven. GSU lost 6-3 center Cody Paulk with five fouls with five minutes to play and three other players finished with four fouls.
The nation's leading scorer, Dawn Evans of JMU, finished with 19 tonight, five below her average as she hit 10-of-13 from the line. Six-foot-four Lauren Jiminez added 11 points and 8 rebounds. JMU ended with the final rebound of the night at the buzzer to hold a 50-49 rebound advantage.
Georgia State (7-14, 2-8) got a stellar 19-point, 12-rebound effort from Chan Harris. Angelique Burtts added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Traci Haltiwanger scored 11 points. Paulk had five blocked shots, eight rebounds, and four points before exiting and leaving a void in the GSU middle defense.
The game was tied twice early at 11 and 13 eight minutes into the game and JMU held a 19-18 advantage with eight minutes left in the first half. But the Dukes went on an 8-0 run to make it 27-18 at 6:01. GSU closed to 31-27 at 1:24, but JMU scored the final four in the last minute to take a 35-27 halftime lead.
JMU had a big run to turn a 38-29 lead into a 50-31 lead at 12:42 and it looked like it might be easy. But, GSU came roaring back and had it back to 52-46 with 7:50 still left. Every point JMU scored in the last five minutes was from the free throw line.
GSU got off a season-high 70 shots, compared to 54 shots by JMU. But, the Panthers made just 23 of them for a 32.9% rate. GSU held host James Madison to 27.8% shooting for the game and 21.7% in the second half, but the Dukes cashed in at the free throw line.
GSU tied a season-low total with just 13 turnovers, while JMU committed 14 turnovers. The win was a seventh straight overall for James Madison.
Georgia State returns home to host UNC Wilmington on Super Bowl Sunday at 1 p.m.
