HARRISONBURG, Va. (JMU Athletics) – Ashanti Barnes poured in a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds for her third Division I double-double to lead James Madison women’s basketball to a 71-59 home win over Marshall on Thursday night.

The Dukes (12-4, 4-0 SBC) have notched four consecutive victories, while the Herd (5-10, 0-4 SBC) have suffered a four-game slide to begin league play.

Barnes finished 8-of-13 (.615) from the field and shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line to go along with four assists. Peyton McDaniel connected on 3-of-5 (.600) from behind the arc for 15 points and came away with three steals. Bree Robinson scored a career-high 12 points and notched a trio of takeaways, while Jamia Hazell added eight points.

CC Mays led Marshall with 19 points on a 5-of-13 (3.85) shooting night. Aislynn Hayes registered 11 points and committed eight turnovers in the loss. TreShondra Williams also finished in double figures with 10 points and one block.

How It Happened
First Quarter – JMU 12, Marshall 10
• Marshall made two quick three-pointers for a 6-2 lead at the 7:52 mark but were held scoreless for the following 4:55.
• Barnes finished with eight first-quarter points to give the Dukes a 12-10 edge after one.

Second Quarter – JMU 28, Marshall 32
• Hazell poured in eight points, hitting a pair of corner threes in the frame.
• The Dukes shot an efficient 6-of-12 (.500) from the field and 3-of-6 (.500) from behind the arc.

Third Quarter – JMU 56, Marshall 33
• Barnes scored a driving layup on the opening possession, while Kseniia Kozlova connected on a pair of free throws to grow JMU’s lead to 32-22 at the 8:42 mark.
• After a triple from Mays, the Dukes went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by an and-one from Barnes to match her career-high of 17 points.
• JMU forced Marshall to commit 10 turnovers, while the Dukes shot 8-of-13 (.615) from the field.

Fourth Quarter – JMU 71, Marshall 59
• The Herd outscored James Madison 26-15 in the final frame, sinking 7-of-14 (.500) from the field and 9-of-10 (.900) from the line.

Game Notes
• James Madison leads Marshall in the all-time series, 9-4.
• JMU held an advantage in points in the paint (34-22), points off turnovers (24-14), bench points (19-12) and fast break points (15-9).
• The Dukes won their fourth game in a row, the longest streak for the program since notching four consecutive victories last season from Feb. 28 through March 10.
• JMU is 33-0 since joining the Sun Belt when allowing 59 points or fewer.
• The Dukes’ 28 points in the third quarter are the most by the program in a third quarter this season.
• Marshall’s 21 turnovers were the second-most committed by the team in 2024-25. The Herd recorded 22 giveaways at Penn State on Nov. 21.
• Additionally, Marshall’s 22 first-half points are the lowest by the program in a first half this season.
• Robinson’s three steals marked her sixth game this season with three or more. Moreover, the Dukes produced 10-plus steals for the second time this season. JMU had a season-high of 13 versus Florida at the St. Pete Showcase on Nov. 29.

— JMU Athletics —