James Madison improved to 19-7 overall, 12-3 in the conference with a 64-55 win over Delaware (7-20, 6-9). The Blue Hens didn't score in the last four minutes, as JMU broke away with four players reaching double figures.
Only eight players saw action for the Dukes, and the status of senior forward Jennifer Brown is unknown.
At the post-game press conference, Delaware coach Tina Martin calls it a "disappointing loss" and says that Tamera Young took over the game offensively with her rebounding. Young finished with 14 rebounds.
Martin refers to Brown and says she's unsure of that situation, and that the trio of her, Young, and Lawrence has carried JMU this year. Eight freshmen and sophomores are playing consistently for Delaware, according to Martin. Interestingly enough, JMU has only played eight in the last two games.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Keeping it Close
Madison is holding on to a 43-41 lead with 10:01 left, as Brooks calls a timeout. Delaware senior guard Kyle DeHaven has made six of 14 shots, and leads all scorers. Evans has 12, all from 3-pointers.
Young is shooting just 3-of-14, but has 10 points and 10 rebounds. Don't ever doubt her ability to get a double-double, even when she's off.
I just talked with Coach Brooks' wife, and she says she can't tell me why Brown is missing, other than for "personal reasons." We'll see how much Brooks divulges at the press conference, but Brown also missed Thursday's game at Hofstra. In the last game she played, Brown shot 0-of-5 against Drexel on Feb. 17.
Young is shooting just 3-of-14, but has 10 points and 10 rebounds. Don't ever doubt her ability to get a double-double, even when she's off.
I just talked with Coach Brooks' wife, and she says she can't tell me why Brown is missing, other than for "personal reasons." We'll see how much Brooks divulges at the press conference, but Brown also missed Thursday's game at Hofstra. In the last game she played, Brown shot 0-of-5 against Drexel on Feb. 17.
Where's Brown?
The JMU women's basketball team leads Delaware 27-24 at halftime, in the Dukes' second to last home game.
Delaware is playing suffocating zone defense, and no player has reached double figures in the game. JMU freshman point guard Dawn Evans leads all scorers with 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Actually, she hasn't taken any other shots, but that's no surprise: Coming into the game, almost two thirds of her shots (157-of-247) were from 3-point range.
JMU senior forward Jennifer Brown's absence is glaring, and helps explain why the Dukes (18-7 overall, 11-3 in the conference) hold only a slim lead over Delaware (7-19, 6-8). I'm not sure why she's out, but Brown isn't even on the bench. Hope it's nothing serious.
Delaware is playing suffocating zone defense, and no player has reached double figures in the game. JMU freshman point guard Dawn Evans leads all scorers with 9 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Actually, she hasn't taken any other shots, but that's no surprise: Coming into the game, almost two thirds of her shots (157-of-247) were from 3-point range.
JMU senior forward Jennifer Brown's absence is glaring, and helps explain why the Dukes (18-7 overall, 11-3 in the conference) hold only a slim lead over Delaware (7-19, 6-8). I'm not sure why she's out, but Brown isn't even on the bench. Hope it's nothing serious.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Post-game Press Conference
One of Morehead State's assistant coaches found out about JMU coach Dean Keener's resignation while he was on his computer last night, and gave the Eagles head coach a heads up. His response was straightforward.
"That's either bad for us or good for us, and usually it's bad," MSU coach Donnie Tyndall said.
He analogized Keener's resignation to John Brady's firing at LSU, where Tyndall coached as an assistant from 1997-2001.
Tyndall called the performance a "tribute to Dean and his staff" but acknowledged that the Eagles did a poor job of defending Swanston early.
"I thought about four of the six [3-pointers] he made were uncontested and we did a poor job guarding him," Tyndall said.
He also recognized JMU's solid defensive performance and said that aspects of it caught the Eagles off guard. The MSU coaching staff had observed that JMU usually drops into zone defense out of the 1-2-2 three quarter court press, but today they dropped into man-to-man.
Keener emphasized the resiliency of his team after losing big to Old Dominion on Wednesday; he didn't think the Dukes' performance had anything to do with any attempts to support their coach.
"You know when you're embarrased; when you just dont have it," Keener said, referring to the loss against ODU. "I think they knew it, and they were ready to come back and prove themselves."
Hot shooting paved the way for Madison to set its press, and it paid dividends.
"When you're making shots you're not in transition defense," Keener said. "It allows you to 'jump into your defense.'"
Keener also talked about having pride in your job, and said that coaching a day after his resignation didn't affect him in any significant way.
"It is what it is, so let's continue to look forward," he said.
"That's either bad for us or good for us, and usually it's bad," MSU coach Donnie Tyndall said.
He analogized Keener's resignation to John Brady's firing at LSU, where Tyndall coached as an assistant from 1997-2001.
Tyndall called the performance a "tribute to Dean and his staff" but acknowledged that the Eagles did a poor job of defending Swanston early.
"I thought about four of the six [3-pointers] he made were uncontested and we did a poor job guarding him," Tyndall said.
He also recognized JMU's solid defensive performance and said that aspects of it caught the Eagles off guard. The MSU coaching staff had observed that JMU usually drops into zone defense out of the 1-2-2 three quarter court press, but today they dropped into man-to-man.
Keener emphasized the resiliency of his team after losing big to Old Dominion on Wednesday; he didn't think the Dukes' performance had anything to do with any attempts to support their coach.
"You know when you're embarrased; when you just dont have it," Keener said, referring to the loss against ODU. "I think they knew it, and they were ready to come back and prove themselves."
Hot shooting paved the way for Madison to set its press, and it paid dividends.
"When you're making shots you're not in transition defense," Keener said. "It allows you to 'jump into your defense.'"
Keener also talked about having pride in your job, and said that coaching a day after his resignation didn't affect him in any significant way.
"It is what it is, so let's continue to look forward," he said.
Second half
MSU starts out with the ball in the second half, and junior forward Leon Buchanan scores a layup early. Buchanan dishes to forward Kenneth Faried on the Eagles' next possession for another layup.
Jalloh gets fouled on a runner and hits two free throws, 41-33 JMU. Next possession, Jalloh hits a 3-pointer and reaches double figures with 11 points.
Carter gets fouled and hits a circus shot runner in the lane that must have gone as high as the shot clock above the backboard — ridiculous arc, and he hits the free throw.
With 16:38 left JMU forces a 10 seconds call with its three quarter court press, as MSU fails to advance the ball past halfcourt with at least 25 seconds left on the shot clock.
Now it's Curtis's turn to hit a crazy runner in the lane, and he increases his point total to six. Jalloh is called for a foul on the ensuing possession as Madison's press nearly forces another Eagle turnover.
James gets fouled and crashes into the student section seating, and winds up sitting next to a cheerleader. Nice gesture. Swanston and Jalloh both miss 3-pointers, and Jalloh is called for an offensive foul on a baseline runner off the inbounds play. That's his third of the game with 14:45 remaining.
Swanston has lost his touch — he misses another 3-pointer. JMU calls a timeout after MSU scores a layup.
MSU senior guard Jamyron Steward hits a 3-pointer to bring the Eagles within 13, but Ratner responds with his second 3-pointer on JMU's next possession.
Curtis uses a nice crossover to create some space and hit a jumper from the left elbow, and JMU forces another turnover with its press, as Swanston swipes the ball away from MSU and dishes to James for a two-handed slam. 67-44 JMU with under seven minutes remaining.
Jalloh hits a 3-pointer with 4:49 left, increasing his point total to 16. He still trails Swanston, who has 19. Thornton hits his fourth layup and makes it 79-51 JMU. The crowd responds particularly well when he scores, as he provides a glimmer of hope that the two words "post presence" and JMU could somehow be associated.
Thornton comes out of the game with 3:17 remaining, to a modest applause. Curtis hits a 3-pointer with 2:31 remaining as the shot clock winds down. He's been holding back from those until now, opting instead to penetrate and shoot floaters. Curtis and Carter sub out with 2:17 left.
Keener seems relaxed in Madison's first game since his resignation was announced. He's been sitting for most of the game, as opposed to pacing the sideline and throwing up his arms like he was last Saturday in a loss to Hofstra.
Assistant coach Jon Babul trots alongside Keener as they walk off the court and gives him a congratulatory pat. 89-57 JMU.
Jalloh gets fouled on a runner and hits two free throws, 41-33 JMU. Next possession, Jalloh hits a 3-pointer and reaches double figures with 11 points.
Carter gets fouled and hits a circus shot runner in the lane that must have gone as high as the shot clock above the backboard — ridiculous arc, and he hits the free throw.
With 16:38 left JMU forces a 10 seconds call with its three quarter court press, as MSU fails to advance the ball past halfcourt with at least 25 seconds left on the shot clock.
Now it's Curtis's turn to hit a crazy runner in the lane, and he increases his point total to six. Jalloh is called for a foul on the ensuing possession as Madison's press nearly forces another Eagle turnover.
James gets fouled and crashes into the student section seating, and winds up sitting next to a cheerleader. Nice gesture. Swanston and Jalloh both miss 3-pointers, and Jalloh is called for an offensive foul on a baseline runner off the inbounds play. That's his third of the game with 14:45 remaining.
Swanston has lost his touch — he misses another 3-pointer. JMU calls a timeout after MSU scores a layup.
MSU senior guard Jamyron Steward hits a 3-pointer to bring the Eagles within 13, but Ratner responds with his second 3-pointer on JMU's next possession.
Curtis uses a nice crossover to create some space and hit a jumper from the left elbow, and JMU forces another turnover with its press, as Swanston swipes the ball away from MSU and dishes to James for a two-handed slam. 67-44 JMU with under seven minutes remaining.
Jalloh hits a 3-pointer with 4:49 left, increasing his point total to 16. He still trails Swanston, who has 19. Thornton hits his fourth layup and makes it 79-51 JMU. The crowd responds particularly well when he scores, as he provides a glimmer of hope that the two words "post presence" and JMU could somehow be associated.
Thornton comes out of the game with 3:17 remaining, to a modest applause. Curtis hits a 3-pointer with 2:31 remaining as the shot clock winds down. He's been holding back from those until now, opting instead to penetrate and shoot floaters. Curtis and Carter sub out with 2:17 left.
Keener seems relaxed in Madison's first game since his resignation was announced. He's been sitting for most of the game, as opposed to pacing the sideline and throwing up his arms like he was last Saturday in a loss to Hofstra.
Assistant coach Jon Babul trots alongside Keener as they walk off the court and gives him a congratulatory pat. 89-57 JMU.
Live Blog: JMU vs. Morehead State
I'm going to do something different today, given this is a special occasion.
JMU released a statement yesterday that confirmed basketball coach Dean Keener's resignation, saying that he will coach the remainder of the season.
Junior forward Kyle Swanston hits the first shot of the game, a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc. He falls down after he shoots it, a common occurrence, but the referee isn't buying it.
Morehead State counters with two easy layups, and then Swanston hits his second 3-pointer, this time from the middle.
On JMU's next possession, what would you expect? Swanston hits a 3-pointer from the right side.
Morehead State misses a shot, JMU junior forward Juwann James grabs the rebound and junior guard Abdulai Jalloh hits a 3-pointer to make it a 12-4 JMU lead. MSU calls a timeout.
MSU gets nothing out of the timeout, and on JMU's next possession Swanston is looking for his shot but he's blanketed by two defenders. Madison turns it over on a three second call.
JMU freshman guard Heiden Ratner comes in for Jalloh and JMU runs the 2-2-1 three quarter court press, forcing a turnover the first time they show that pressure. JMU senior forward Terrance Carter scores a layup, and Madison sets the press again. It doesn't work this time, but JMU counters with another Swanston 3-pointer: 4-of-4 from beyond the arc so far.
JMU freshman point guard Pierre Curtis gets a steal and takes it the length for a layup, but he gets fouled and shoots free throws instead. Swanston and Curtis sub out after the free throws with 13:16 left in the half.
After JMU senior center Gabriel Chami blocks a shot with 11:48 left, there's another timeout. Freshman guard Ben Louis comes in for Ratner after the timeout, but Louis and Chami are replaced by Curtis and James with under 11 minutes remaining.
Jalloh gets fouled on a 3-pointer and hits all three free throws. After a missed MSU shot, JMU takes the ball in transition and Jalloh kicks it out to Swanston on the right wing for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer. JMU:25 MSU:11 Swanston: 15.
James forces a pass across the pait on JMU's next possession and MSU steals it, only to throw up an airball from behind the arc. Curtis gets fouled on a baseline runner, hits it and makes the free throw.
MSU throws an errant pass out of bounds, the second or third time they've done that. Curtis gets the ball on the baseline again but can't hit.
Swanston has the ball on the right wing again, but he's covered closely. Almost immediately after he passes inside to James, he gets double-teamed on the baseline. On JMU's next possession though, Swanston gets the ball on the right wing and hits his sixth 3-pointer, passing his career high of five last Saturday against Hofstra. In that game he was 5-of-9 from behind the arc.
With the score at 35-21 JMU, Swanston picks up his dribble near the Duke paw behind the arc, but holds the trigger. JMU gets the ball back and Curtis throws a lob to Swanston, who grabs rim but can't push it through.
There's a timeout on the floor with 3:54 left and the score at 37-21 JMU, and both teams go to their huddles. MSU huddles on the left wing of the court — I don't know how many times I've seen that. Not too many.
At this point Swanston leads all scorers with 18, and MSU doesn't have anyone on the floor with more than four points. Swanston misses his first shot with 2:30 left, a 3-point attempt, to the dismay of the belligerent fans sitting in the front row behind me.
With 1:41 left, the score is 37-27 JMU. It seems like Madison should have a larger lead at this point with Swanston's hot hand and MSU's turnovers.
JMU sophomore forward Matt Parker heaves up a 3-pointer as the clock runs out before halftime, and Swanston grabs the rim as he tries to follow but the ball bounces elsewhere. 39-29 JMU.
JMU released a statement yesterday that confirmed basketball coach Dean Keener's resignation, saying that he will coach the remainder of the season.
Junior forward Kyle Swanston hits the first shot of the game, a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc. He falls down after he shoots it, a common occurrence, but the referee isn't buying it.
Morehead State counters with two easy layups, and then Swanston hits his second 3-pointer, this time from the middle.
On JMU's next possession, what would you expect? Swanston hits a 3-pointer from the right side.
Morehead State misses a shot, JMU junior forward Juwann James grabs the rebound and junior guard Abdulai Jalloh hits a 3-pointer to make it a 12-4 JMU lead. MSU calls a timeout.
MSU gets nothing out of the timeout, and on JMU's next possession Swanston is looking for his shot but he's blanketed by two defenders. Madison turns it over on a three second call.
JMU freshman guard Heiden Ratner comes in for Jalloh and JMU runs the 2-2-1 three quarter court press, forcing a turnover the first time they show that pressure. JMU senior forward Terrance Carter scores a layup, and Madison sets the press again. It doesn't work this time, but JMU counters with another Swanston 3-pointer: 4-of-4 from beyond the arc so far.
JMU freshman point guard Pierre Curtis gets a steal and takes it the length for a layup, but he gets fouled and shoots free throws instead. Swanston and Curtis sub out after the free throws with 13:16 left in the half.
After JMU senior center Gabriel Chami blocks a shot with 11:48 left, there's another timeout. Freshman guard Ben Louis comes in for Ratner after the timeout, but Louis and Chami are replaced by Curtis and James with under 11 minutes remaining.
Jalloh gets fouled on a 3-pointer and hits all three free throws. After a missed MSU shot, JMU takes the ball in transition and Jalloh kicks it out to Swanston on the right wing for a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer. JMU:25 MSU:11 Swanston: 15.
James forces a pass across the pait on JMU's next possession and MSU steals it, only to throw up an airball from behind the arc. Curtis gets fouled on a baseline runner, hits it and makes the free throw.
MSU throws an errant pass out of bounds, the second or third time they've done that. Curtis gets the ball on the baseline again but can't hit.
Swanston has the ball on the right wing again, but he's covered closely. Almost immediately after he passes inside to James, he gets double-teamed on the baseline. On JMU's next possession though, Swanston gets the ball on the right wing and hits his sixth 3-pointer, passing his career high of five last Saturday against Hofstra. In that game he was 5-of-9 from behind the arc.
With the score at 35-21 JMU, Swanston picks up his dribble near the Duke paw behind the arc, but holds the trigger. JMU gets the ball back and Curtis throws a lob to Swanston, who grabs rim but can't push it through.
There's a timeout on the floor with 3:54 left and the score at 37-21 JMU, and both teams go to their huddles. MSU huddles on the left wing of the court — I don't know how many times I've seen that. Not too many.
At this point Swanston leads all scorers with 18, and MSU doesn't have anyone on the floor with more than four points. Swanston misses his first shot with 2:30 left, a 3-point attempt, to the dismay of the belligerent fans sitting in the front row behind me.
With 1:41 left, the score is 37-27 JMU. It seems like Madison should have a larger lead at this point with Swanston's hot hand and MSU's turnovers.
JMU sophomore forward Matt Parker heaves up a 3-pointer as the clock runs out before halftime, and Swanston grabs the rim as he tries to follow but the ball bounces elsewhere. 39-29 JMU.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Evans Back in Starting Lineup
Thursday night against William and Mary, JMU freshman point guard Dawn Evans made her first start since a Jan. 13 game at Old Dominion.
She missed the next four contests after that game with a stress fracture in her left foot, and including her Jan. 31 return from that injury against George Mason, she came off the bench four straight games leading up to Thursday’s matchup.
Evans said she felt 85 percent against the Tribe, but her long-range prowess continued as she connected on four of eight 3-pointers. She scored 14 points and had a game-high five assists, and her chemistry with freshman guard Courtney Hamner was impressive.
“Courtney runs the floor extremely well, so it’s easy to get the ball to her because she’s out there in front of everybody,” Evans said. “I just give it to her because she’s out there.”
That chemistry bodes well for the future of the team. The Dukes are riding a season-high seven game win streak, their best of the season, and are 17-6 overall, 10-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
She missed the next four contests after that game with a stress fracture in her left foot, and including her Jan. 31 return from that injury against George Mason, she came off the bench four straight games leading up to Thursday’s matchup.
Evans said she felt 85 percent against the Tribe, but her long-range prowess continued as she connected on four of eight 3-pointers. She scored 14 points and had a game-high five assists, and her chemistry with freshman guard Courtney Hamner was impressive.
“Courtney runs the floor extremely well, so it’s easy to get the ball to her because she’s out there in front of everybody,” Evans said. “I just give it to her because she’s out there.”
That chemistry bodes well for the future of the team. The Dukes are riding a season-high seven game win streak, their best of the season, and are 17-6 overall, 10-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Will Pierre be Back Saturday?
If urgency is a factor for James Madison, one would think so.
JMU sophomore point guard Pierre Curtis, who has a sprain and a bone bruise in his left knee, was warming up Wednesday before the game at VCU. Unfortunately for the Dukes, his injury bothered him enough that he sat out his third straight contest.
“Being on the road without our starting point guard, we knew we would have to do an awful lot right,” JMU coach Dean Keener said. “Unfortunately we didn’t there in the first half where we had some critical turnovers, as well as allowing four offensive rebounds that really got them going.”
Curtis leads the team in free throw percentage and averages 10.7 points and a team-high 4.2 assists per game. Without him, JMU struggled to run its half-court offense at VCU.
“Ben [Louis] and Abdulai [Jalloh] really had some key turnovers in the first half that were live-ball and led to some run-outs and transition baskets for them, and then that allowed them again to set their defense,” Keener said.
JMU (11-13 overall, 4-10 in the conference) will regroup and prepare for a home game Saturday against Hofstra (8-16, 5-9), one of four conference games left for the Dukes. Keener said Curtis might be back for that game, but indicated that the situation is day-to-day.
JMU sophomore point guard Pierre Curtis, who has a sprain and a bone bruise in his left knee, was warming up Wednesday before the game at VCU. Unfortunately for the Dukes, his injury bothered him enough that he sat out his third straight contest.
“Being on the road without our starting point guard, we knew we would have to do an awful lot right,” JMU coach Dean Keener said. “Unfortunately we didn’t there in the first half where we had some critical turnovers, as well as allowing four offensive rebounds that really got them going.”
Curtis leads the team in free throw percentage and averages 10.7 points and a team-high 4.2 assists per game. Without him, JMU struggled to run its half-court offense at VCU.
“Ben [Louis] and Abdulai [Jalloh] really had some key turnovers in the first half that were live-ball and led to some run-outs and transition baskets for them, and then that allowed them again to set their defense,” Keener said.
JMU (11-13 overall, 4-10 in the conference) will regroup and prepare for a home game Saturday against Hofstra (8-16, 5-9), one of four conference games left for the Dukes. Keener said Curtis might be back for that game, but indicated that the situation is day-to-day.
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