Shorthanded Dragons Fall at JMU, 51-43

Saturday, January 12

Harrisonburg, Va.

4:00

Drexel University

5-11, 1-3CAA

James Madison

9-8, 3-1

Drexel

James Madison

1/12/2013 5:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Harrisonburg, Va. – Drexel's stellar defensive effort wasn't enough as James Madison scored 10 straight points late in the game and went on to a 51-43 victory on Saturday afternoon. The Dragons dropped to 1-3 in the CAA and 5-11 overall, while the Dukes are now 9-8 and 3-1 in league play.

Drexel trailed for most of the game, but for most of the second half it was a two possession game. The Dragons were finally able to tie the score at 38-38 on a short jumper by Dartaye Ruffin with 4:43 to play. On the Dukes next possession, Alioune Diouf converted a pair of free throws to give JMU the lead for good. It started a 10-0 run. Drexel's Frantz Massenat had a chance to tie it with a one-and-one opportunity, but missed the front end. The Dukes clinched the game by making five straight free throws, including one by Devon Moore to complete a three-point play to give the Dragons their third straight loss.

The Dragons' defense held the Dukes to just 37 percent shooting in the game. However, the depleted Drexel offense shot 36 percent and missed six of its 11 free throws, including two key one-and-ones down the stretch. Massenat led the way with 13 points, but the junior was 4-for-15 from the floor. Tavon Allen and Ruffin each scored eight points. Kazembe Abif finished with a career-high nine rebounds. Goins and Moore each scored 14 for the Dukes.

The Dragons faced the Dukes without two of their regular starters. Damion Lee, the team's leading scorer, and Daryl McCoy, the top rebounder, were each out with injuries. Combine those two with Chris Fouch and the Dragons had more than 2,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds sitting on the bench during the game.

Drexel plays the second of its three straight road games next Saturday at William & Mary. The game can be heard live on Drexeldragons.com.