OXFORD, Ohio (JMU Athletics) – James Madison committed 26 turnovers in a 59-52 loss to Miami (Ohio) to open the 2026-27 season on Monday night at Millett Hall.

The Dukes (0-1) trailed by two (46-44) at the 8:35 mark of the fourth and limited the RedHawks (1-0) to 2-of-10 (.200) from the field in the quarter, however, Miami managed to draw eight fouls and made 9-of-13 (.692) to stave off a JMU comeback.

The RedHawks jumped out to a 10-0 advantage in the opening minutes, going ahead 19-12 after the first frame. Scoring between the two teams would be even for the remainder of the game (40-40).

Two Dukes scored in double figures, led by Bree Robinson (12) and Zakiya Stephenson (11). Robinson grabbed four rebounds, knocked down a pair of threes, and recorded two steals. Stephenson connected on 4-of-8 (.500) from the field and dished out two assists, while Moore paced JMU in rebounds (9). Delilah Soltys, Maddie Leach, Kinley Lewis, and Moore all registered six points in the loss.

For Miami, Julianna LaMendola led all scorers with 24 points and wrangled in nine boards. Addison Baxter finished with 13 points on 5-of-9 (.556) from the field and came away with a game-high five steals, while Nuria Jurjo posted a game-best four assists in the win.

James Madison returns to Harrisonburg for its home opener against Central Connecticut State. Tip-off inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center is slated for 6 p.m., and will stream on ESPN+.

How It Happened
First Quarter – Miami (Ohio) 19, JMU 12
• The RedHawks jumped out to a 10-0 lead, making four of their first five shots from the field.
• Robinson knocked down a wing three with six seconds to cut the deficit to single digits after one.

Second Quarter – Miami (Ohio) 31, JMU 25
• The Dukes carried momentum into the second frame, extending their run to 13-0 with an and-one from Jones-Brown to give JMU a 22-19 edge at the 6:58 mark.
• Miami responded with a 9-1 scoring spurt to make it 28-23 with under two minutes to go.

Third Quarter – Miami (Ohio) 46, JMU 38
• Moore (5), Robinson (4), and Stephenson (4) scored all 13 of JMU’s points in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter – Miami (Ohio) 59, JMU 52
• JMU made four of its last five, highlighted by back-to-back scores by Lewis, as the Dukes threatened down 46-44 early in the final period.
• Miami managed to draw eight fouls and made 9-of-13 (.692) to keep the Dukes at bay.

Game Notes
• JMU held an advantage in rebounds (41-37) and bench points (23-14)
• McLeod made her first career start in the 93rd game of her career.
• JMU went 1-of-12 from behind the arc to close the game, going 1-for-10 in the second half.

— JMU Athletics —