PENSACOLA, Fla. – James Madison men’s basketball saw its Sun Belt Tournament come to an end on Sunday night, dropping a 75-66 decision to eighth-seeded South Alabama at the Pensacola Bay Center.

The Dukes (22-11) battled throughout and pulled within two possessions multiple times in the second half, but could not get over the hump as USA (19-15) held them without a three-pointer after the break and a 2-16 (12.5%) clip from outside on the evening.

Graduate forward Mezie Offurum went 9-15 from the field and racked up 20 points and seven rebounds to lead the Dukes’ offense and carded his highest-scoring performance in a JMU uniform.

Fellow graduate Takal Molson and sophomore Terrence Edwards joined Offurum in double figures – Molson put together 14 points and nine boards, while Edwards had 13 points.

On the day, the Dukes shot just 25-63 (39.7%) from the field, while USA hit at a 52.7% clip (29-55) and shot 44.4% (8-18) from deep.

USA guard Isaiah Moore paced four double-digit scorers for the Jaguars with 18 points to go with five rebounds and five assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
South Alabama started out on fire, hitting its first five shots as the Jaguars scored the first 10 points of the contest before JMU got on the board. The Dukes pulled back quickly, though, using an immediate 10-2 run to pull back within two points.

The period continued with runs, as USA went back up by 11 with 6:19 to play in the half, but saw the Dukes respond again with an 11-3 run that cut the lead to 30-27 at the 2:10 mark before the Jaguars were able to get in the locker room at 38-31.

Second Half
The Dukes cut the USA lead to three on multiple occasions early in the second half with the help of six straight points, but that would be the closest they got as South Alabama responded to each JMU push.

The Jaguars would build the lead up to as many as 12 with 5:04 to play, but JMU again battled back, slicing the advantage to 67-62 with 1:34 left. On the next possession, however, USA got a three-pointer from Owen White that put the contest out of reach heading into the final minute.

QUICK HITS
– The Dukes’ seven turnovers tied their fewest in a game this season.
– JMU racked up five blocks, marking its eighth straight game with at least three.
– The Dukes tallied 40 rebounds to USA’s 32 on the night, giving them four straight games with 40 or more for the first time since 2019.

— JMU Athletics —