Its season is over, but the JMU women’s basketball team made a statement this season by winning its first postseason games in eight years.
James Madison (24-10) lost 84-76 at Kentucky in the third round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on Wednesday, but not before history was made. Tamera Young broke the Colonial Athletic Association scoring record and set the new mark at 2,121.
The senior forward needed 20 points to break the record, and she scored 28 to enter the CAA record books. The previous record of 2,112 points was held by Celeste Hill, who played at Old Dominion from 1990-94.
While Young set another record, freshman point guard Dawn Evans tied her school record of seven 3-pointers in a game as she scored 23 points, and senior forward Jennifer Brown scored 10 and had eight rebounds. Young chipped in 17 rebounds to go along with her record-breaking point total.
After beating Radford and Indiana in the first two rounds of the WNIT, Madison lost to a Kentucky team ranked No. 65 in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI). The Wildcats improved their record to 17-15, but they have a schedule ranked 14th in difficulty nationwide.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Senior Leader not Going Lightly
Tamera Young stepped to the free throw line unsure why she was taking the technical shots.
The senior forward didn’t realize that JMU coach Kenny Brooks chose her over point guard Dawn Evans – who usually takes technical shots – because Young was on the cusp of another JMU scoring record.
“When coach made me shoot the technical foul I was kind of surprised being with my free throw percentage that he told me to ‘shoot ’em,’” Young said. “Everybody was celebrating and I’m like, ‘what are they celebrating for?’”
While she only averages 64.8 percent from the stripe, Brooks chose her because she was one point from breaking JMU’s former scoring record of 35 points in a game. After Young made both technical shots and another free throw, she set the new mark at 38 in Madison’s 80-58 win over Radford in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
“We didn’t want to sacrifice sportsmanship to try to get her the record, but the way that it happened it was beautiful,” Brooks said. “And she had no idea.”
With the win, Madison (23-9) advances to play Indiana on Saturday. In addition to her scoring outburst, Young had 14 rebounds and 5 assists against Radford while she made 14-of-24 shots. She didn’t realize what she had accomplished until after the crowd of 2,109 erupted when she made the record-setting technical shot. Point guard Dawn Evans relayed the news.
But Radford coach Jeri Porter was surprised by something else.
“I didn’t realize she was as good a rebounder as she is,” Porter said. “We knew they were a great rebounding team, we had talked about that. She’s a heck of a rebounder though; does a great job. Just has a nose for the ball, which most great players do.”
Radford (23-12) was led in scoring by freshman guard Taleia Moton, who got eight of her 14 points from the free throw line. Senior center Kelli Darden and senior forward Corrie Fertitta had 11 and 10, respectively. Radford shot only 30 percent in the game.
The win was JMU’s first postseason victory in eight years, a possibility Brooks made clear before the game by writing in on a whiteboard in their locker room.
“These kids, they listen,” Brooks said. “It’s funny to hear them up here and listen to them talk, because they sound just like me. …They know what the task is, they know what we have to do to become successful.”
Young was joined in double figures by senior forward Jennifer Brown and junior forward Kisha Stokes, who scored 11 and 9 points, respectively. Brown also chipped in 11 rebounds and Stokes had 10, as JMU out-rebounded Radford 54-37.
The Dukes travel to Indiana tomorrow for a Saturday game against the Hoosiers in the second round of the NIT. Indiana (18-14) had a first-round bye as one of the region’s top four seeds.
The senior forward didn’t realize that JMU coach Kenny Brooks chose her over point guard Dawn Evans – who usually takes technical shots – because Young was on the cusp of another JMU scoring record.
“When coach made me shoot the technical foul I was kind of surprised being with my free throw percentage that he told me to ‘shoot ’em,’” Young said. “Everybody was celebrating and I’m like, ‘what are they celebrating for?’”
While she only averages 64.8 percent from the stripe, Brooks chose her because she was one point from breaking JMU’s former scoring record of 35 points in a game. After Young made both technical shots and another free throw, she set the new mark at 38 in Madison’s 80-58 win over Radford in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
“We didn’t want to sacrifice sportsmanship to try to get her the record, but the way that it happened it was beautiful,” Brooks said. “And she had no idea.”
With the win, Madison (23-9) advances to play Indiana on Saturday. In addition to her scoring outburst, Young had 14 rebounds and 5 assists against Radford while she made 14-of-24 shots. She didn’t realize what she had accomplished until after the crowd of 2,109 erupted when she made the record-setting technical shot. Point guard Dawn Evans relayed the news.
But Radford coach Jeri Porter was surprised by something else.
“I didn’t realize she was as good a rebounder as she is,” Porter said. “We knew they were a great rebounding team, we had talked about that. She’s a heck of a rebounder though; does a great job. Just has a nose for the ball, which most great players do.”
Radford (23-12) was led in scoring by freshman guard Taleia Moton, who got eight of her 14 points from the free throw line. Senior center Kelli Darden and senior forward Corrie Fertitta had 11 and 10, respectively. Radford shot only 30 percent in the game.
The win was JMU’s first postseason victory in eight years, a possibility Brooks made clear before the game by writing in on a whiteboard in their locker room.
“These kids, they listen,” Brooks said. “It’s funny to hear them up here and listen to them talk, because they sound just like me. …They know what the task is, they know what we have to do to become successful.”
Young was joined in double figures by senior forward Jennifer Brown and junior forward Kisha Stokes, who scored 11 and 9 points, respectively. Brown also chipped in 11 rebounds and Stokes had 10, as JMU out-rebounded Radford 54-37.
The Dukes travel to Indiana tomorrow for a Saturday game against the Hoosiers in the second round of the NIT. Indiana (18-14) had a first-round bye as one of the region’s top four seeds.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Three and Out
James Madison was bounced from the 2008 CAA Women's Basketball Championship tournament Saturday, losing 69-60 to Virginia Commonwealth.
The loss means JMU won't get a third meeting with Old Dominion, the conference's 16-time defending champion. ODU beat Towson 74-51 in the other CAA semifinal game.
VCU senior guard Krystal Vaughn had 19 points to lead all scorers, and JMU senior forward Tamera Young led the Dukes with 16 points. Despite out-rebounding the Rams 40-25, JMU lost for the third time in as many meetings with VCU this season.
The early exit means JMU will have to rely on an at-large bid to qualify for the NCAA tournament. JMU is ranked 44 in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), which takes into account a team’s winning percentage, its opponents’ winning percentage and the winning percentage of those opponents’ opponents.
The Dukes have wins over nationally-ranked George Washington and Old Dominion this season, but failing to beat VCU could prove costly.
The loss means JMU won't get a third meeting with Old Dominion, the conference's 16-time defending champion. ODU beat Towson 74-51 in the other CAA semifinal game.
VCU senior guard Krystal Vaughn had 19 points to lead all scorers, and JMU senior forward Tamera Young led the Dukes with 16 points. Despite out-rebounding the Rams 40-25, JMU lost for the third time in as many meetings with VCU this season.
The early exit means JMU will have to rely on an at-large bid to qualify for the NCAA tournament. JMU is ranked 44 in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), which takes into account a team’s winning percentage, its opponents’ winning percentage and the winning percentage of those opponents’ opponents.
The Dukes have wins over nationally-ranked George Washington and Old Dominion this season, but failing to beat VCU could prove costly.
Friday, March 14, 2008
One More Chance
The JMU women's basketball team will have another shot at Virginia Commonwealth. Both teams escaped with narrow victories in the Colonial Athletic Association Championship quarterfinals Friday.
William & Mary had a 26-20 lead at halftime against the Dukes, but JMU fought back to win 53-46 in the teams' third meeting of the season. JMU completed the season sweep by outrebounding the Tribe 39-22, while senior forward Tamera Young led the Dukes in scoring and rebounding with 12 and 10, respectively.
Tribe senior forward Kyra Kaylor had a game-high 16 points and led her team with seven rebounds. William & Mary got to the free throw line only six times to Madison's 16 attempts.
Young, the 2008 CAA Player of the Year, will lead the Dukes in their third meeting with VCU in the CAA Championship semifinals Saturday. JMU lost at home in overtime 61-60 on Jan. 21, and lost 62-56 on Feb. 28.
William & Mary had a 26-20 lead at halftime against the Dukes, but JMU fought back to win 53-46 in the teams' third meeting of the season. JMU completed the season sweep by outrebounding the Tribe 39-22, while senior forward Tamera Young led the Dukes in scoring and rebounding with 12 and 10, respectively.
Tribe senior forward Kyra Kaylor had a game-high 16 points and led her team with seven rebounds. William & Mary got to the free throw line only six times to Madison's 16 attempts.
Young, the 2008 CAA Player of the Year, will lead the Dukes in their third meeting with VCU in the CAA Championship semifinals Saturday. JMU lost at home in overtime 61-60 on Jan. 21, and lost 62-56 on Feb. 28.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
The Waiting Game
After James Madison lost Friday to Northeastern 73-55, the Dean Keener era is officially over at JMU. Read more about the game here.
But while the Dukes await the announcement of a new coach, Virginia Commonwealth is now in postseason tournament limbo. The Rams lost Sunday to William & Mary 56-54 in the first semifinal matchup of the CAA Championship tournament, bringing their record to 24-7 overall, 15-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
VCU has quality non-conference wins against Houston and Maryland, but an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament might be elusive for the Rams after losing to a team with an RPI of 181 in the conference semis. At the post-game press conference, VCU coach Anthony Grant wouldn't speculate, saying it would be a waste of anyone's time to hear him form a judgment.
William & Mary will play the winner of Sunday's UNC-Wilmington-George Mason game Monday in the CAA championship. And while VCU's loss jeopardizes its NCAA tournament eligibility, the slip also makes it possible that the CAA will place two teams in the NCAA tournament for the third straight year.
But while the Dukes await the announcement of a new coach, Virginia Commonwealth is now in postseason tournament limbo. The Rams lost Sunday to William & Mary 56-54 in the first semifinal matchup of the CAA Championship tournament, bringing their record to 24-7 overall, 15-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
VCU has quality non-conference wins against Houston and Maryland, but an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament might be elusive for the Rams after losing to a team with an RPI of 181 in the conference semis. At the post-game press conference, VCU coach Anthony Grant wouldn't speculate, saying it would be a waste of anyone's time to hear him form a judgment.
William & Mary will play the winner of Sunday's UNC-Wilmington-George Mason game Monday in the CAA championship. And while VCU's loss jeopardizes its NCAA tournament eligibility, the slip also makes it possible that the CAA will place two teams in the NCAA tournament for the third straight year.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Keener's Countdown
Coach Dean Keener's leadership of JMU is nearing a close, as he will step down following Madison's involvement in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament.
With three out of four opening round games in the books, JMU plays Northeastern in Friday's last matchup for the right to face George Mason in the quarterfinals. Madison and Northeastern both have 13-16 records, but the Huskies have nine conference wins to Madison's five.
It's anybody's guess how JMU will respond to the situation, but the Dukes won 68-65 at Northeastern in their first conference game of the season Dec. 1.
Ironically, the song "The Final Countdown" by the 80s band Europe started playing before player introductions began. Is that a coincidence or a tribute to JMU's lame duck coach?
With three out of four opening round games in the books, JMU plays Northeastern in Friday's last matchup for the right to face George Mason in the quarterfinals. Madison and Northeastern both have 13-16 records, but the Huskies have nine conference wins to Madison's five.
It's anybody's guess how JMU will respond to the situation, but the Dukes won 68-65 at Northeastern in their first conference game of the season Dec. 1.
Ironically, the song "The Final Countdown" by the 80s band Europe started playing before player introductions began. Is that a coincidence or a tribute to JMU's lame duck coach?
Winding Down, Towson Wins
Hofstra just forced a timeout with its full court press, after senior guard Antoine Agudio made two free throws to bring the Pride within five points. With just over five minutes remaining, Towson leads 55-50.
Agudio was called for a foul as the shot clock wound down for the Tigers, sending Thornton to the free throw line.
Durant just threw down a slam dunk as Towson broke Hofstra's press and extended the Tigers' lead to eight. That gives him 12 points. Towson's really trying to extend the game, moving the ball inside, outside, and all around the perimeter.
After a Hofstra shot got lodged between the rim and the backboard, the possession arrow gave the Tigers the ball. Things are really going their way.
With just under two minutes left, Durant has scored 16 points and Towson leads 68-55. Hofstra resorted to fouling already, fouling C.C. Williams in the backcourt and sending him to the free throw line.
First Team All-CAA guard Antoine Agudio may have taken his last shot with just over a minute left, as he spotted up five feet beyond the arc. But no, the senior got another one with 2.7 seconds remaining, and this one was a swish. Towson wins 81-66.
Agudio was called for a foul as the shot clock wound down for the Tigers, sending Thornton to the free throw line.
Durant just threw down a slam dunk as Towson broke Hofstra's press and extended the Tigers' lead to eight. That gives him 12 points. Towson's really trying to extend the game, moving the ball inside, outside, and all around the perimeter.
After a Hofstra shot got lodged between the rim and the backboard, the possession arrow gave the Tigers the ball. Things are really going their way.
With just under two minutes left, Durant has scored 16 points and Towson leads 68-55. Hofstra resorted to fouling already, fouling C.C. Williams in the backcourt and sending him to the free throw line.
First Team All-CAA guard Antoine Agudio may have taken his last shot with just over a minute left, as he spotted up five feet beyond the arc. But no, the senior got another one with 2.7 seconds remaining, and this one was a swish. Towson wins 81-66.
Tony the Tiger: Live Blog
My colleague Tim Chapman asked me the question, 'Is Kevin Durant in the house?," after we sat down for the second half of Hofstra's game against Towson. Kevin's older brother Tony is a junior forward for the Tigers, but he's just their sixth-leading scorer.
Kevin plays for the Seattle Supersonics, who are actually in Philadelphia for a 7:00 p.m. game against the 76ers. This game should end at about 2:00 p.m., but it's a four and a half hour drive to Philly from Richmond, where the Colonial Athletic Association tourmament is taking place. That would give Kevin half an hour to get ready for his game.
While it's unlikely that he's even here, he would need a private jet to make the about 250 mile trip in time for game preparations.
But after holding a 31-13 lead at halftime, Tony and the Tigers are only up 41-33 with just over 12 minutes left. Towson calls a 30 second timeout, after its lead is cut to less than 10 for the first time since the opening period.
Kevin plays for the Seattle Supersonics, who are actually in Philadelphia for a 7:00 p.m. game against the 76ers. This game should end at about 2:00 p.m., but it's a four and a half hour drive to Philly from Richmond, where the Colonial Athletic Association tourmament is taking place. That would give Kevin half an hour to get ready for his game.
While it's unlikely that he's even here, he would need a private jet to make the about 250 mile trip in time for game preparations.
But after holding a 31-13 lead at halftime, Tony and the Tigers are only up 41-33 with just over 12 minutes left. Towson calls a 30 second timeout, after its lead is cut to less than 10 for the first time since the opening period.
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