STATESBORO, Ga. (JMU Athletics) – Georgia Southern women’s basketball shot 55.2% (32-of-58) from the field, including 72.7% (8-of-11) in the fourth quarter, for a 78-70 victory over James Madison inside Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center on Wednesday night.

The Dukes (11-6, 3-2 Sun Belt) fought back to trail 53-51 before the Eagles (11-4, 4-1 Sun Belt) pulled away with an 11-2 run to keep JMU at bay.

Four Dukes scored in double figures, led by Ashanti Barnes (15), followed by Bree Robinson (14), Zakiya Stephenson (14), and Peyton McDaniel (10). McDaniel grabbed a team-best seven boards and recorded a pair of steals. Brianna McLeod chipped in with eight points and two blocks off the bench.

Kishyah Anderson paced all scorers with 26 points on an efficient 12-of-14 (.857) from the floor, while Destiny Garrett added 21 points in the winning effort. Ashanti Simmons came away with 10 rebounds and a game-high four assists.

How It Happened
First Quarter – GS 20, JMU 10
• The Dukes committed five turnovers in the first 5:45 as Georgia Southern took an 11-6 lead at the opening media timeout.
• The Eagles shot 9-for-16 (.563) from the field for a 20-10 advantage after one.

Second Quarter – GS 35, JMU 27
• Anderson went 4-for-4 for eight points as Georgia Southern stayed in control.
• Robinson knocked down a jumper at the buzzer to make it an eight-point game at the break.

Third Quarter – GS 53, JMU 49
• JMU went on a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to 3 (46-43) at the 3:22 mark, forcing a Georgia Southern timeout.
• The Dukes failed to score a field goal after that point, but made six free throws down the stretch to get within four.

Fourth Quarter – GS 78, JMU 70
• After a quick score from Soltys, Georgia Southern produced an 11-2 run for a 64-53 advantage with 5:27 to play.
• The Eagles went 8-for-11 (.727) from the floor and from the free throw line to secure the victory.

Game Notes
• James Madison held an advantage in bench points (17-4), fast-break points (14-8), and second-chance points (12-8), while Georgia Southern led in points off turnovers (16-11).
• The Eagles’ 55.2% (32-of-58) shooting clip from the field is the most efficient outing by a JMU opponent since Drexel connected on 57.1% (32-of-56) of its shots on March 3, 2022.
• The loss was JMU’s first to a Sun Belt team in regulation during the regular season since dropping an 83-79 meeting at App State on Feb. 24, 2023.

— JMU Athletics —