Brief: Late Surge Couldn’t Help Dukes

February 9, 2010 • By Colleen Hayes,
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Unlike the last time these two teams met, the JMU men’s basketball team last second 3-pointer came too soon, as freshman guard Darren White sunk a basket with five seconds remaining, giving the Towson Tigers just enough time to hold on to a 81-78 win. In their last meeting, junior guard Ben Louis made a three with one and a half seconds left on the clock, edging out Towson 69-66.

The first eight minutes was anyone’s game as the lead changed eight times. Louis managed a driving lay-up to give the Dukes (10-14 overall, 3-10 in conference) the edge 21-18, till the 12:05 mark when Towson (6-17, 3-10) went on a 12-0 run, taking a commanding 30-21 lead. Junior forward Denzel Bowles provided half of JMU’s first half points (14) and ended the first 20 minutes with a steal and breakaway dunk to bring the Dukes within seven, despite their 12 turnovers.

As halftime approached the Tigers had the edge 35-28, although the Dukes were about to come back with an offensive rally of their own. Gradually shrinking their deficit, the Dukes brought the score to a close 69-62, and continued to capitalize on the Tiger’s struggles at the free throw line. Sophomore forward Julius Wells made a clutch 3-pointer to bring the score to 77-72, keeping the Dukes’ hopes alive. A series of fouls brought the score to 78-75 with 18 seconds remaining, due to senior guard Pierre Curtis making a short jumper and successful foul shots.

With time winding down, White sunk a three to pull the Dukes to within one, but with not enough time on the clock the Dukes were forced to foul on the inbound pass by the Tigers leading to two successful shots by sophomore guard Troy Franklin, sealing the victory for the Tigers.

Despite the Dukes impressive rally and out-rebounding Towson 40-25, they fell short for the third time in a row, dropping to a tie for fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Bowles had a game-high 29 points, shooting 10-for-16 from the floor, along with 13 rebounds marking his ninth double-double this season. Wells followed with 18 points.

The Dukes look to break their losing streak this Wednesday at home against Old Dominion, who sits in second place currently in the conference.

contact Colleen Hayes at breezesports2@gmail.com

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