So close
Momentum and shooting percentage proved key in JMU loss
The almost — Avery Warley (center) and the Lady Flames nearly pulled out a ‘W’ against a high-percentage James Madison ladies squad. Photo credit: Ruth Bibby
After returning from the Vanderbilt Thanksgiving Tournament, the Lady Flames dropped their overall record to 3-4 with a tough 62-58 loss against the James Madison University Lady Dukes.
A quick jumper from JMU’s Tarik Hislop opened scoring but the Lady Flames responded with a 9-2 run.
The Dukes were held without scoring for close to six minutes until senior JMU center Rachel Connely ended the drought with a layup. From there, the Lady Dukes ripped off a 17-0 run, leaving the Lady Flames trailing by 11 with 5:02 left in the first half. At the half, the Lady Dukes held the advantage, 29-21.
Two’s and Three’s
The Lady Flames made some adjustments during halftime. They continued to outscore the Lady Dukes in the paint (Liberty 36, JMU 16), which allowed them to pull within a point toward the middle of the second half.
Redshirt senior center Avery Warley packed in 11 second-half points and forward Danika Dale grabbed seven rebounds. However, their adjustments could not contain the perimeter shooting of Hislop and redshirt junior Jasmine Gill, as the duo led the Dukes with a combined total of 44 points.
Warley led the Lady Flames with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Not on target
The loss was earned because the Dukes shot 41.9 percent from the field while the Lady Flames shot 34.4 percent, including 21 missed layups.
“We played fairly well despite the emotional things that we had to deal with,” Head coach Carey Green said. “However, we did miss 21 layups. Making just 20 percent of those could have but us over JMU.”
Emotionally challenging
This game was the first for redshirt junior Devon Brown since the death of her mother, Jennifer Brown, on Nov. 22.
“(Brown) struggled mentally, physically and emotionally,” head coach Carey Green said. “I am very pleased with the effort that she put out tonight.”
Brown finished with 13 points and nine rebounds. According to Libertyflames.com, Brown is within seven points from scoring 1,000 career points.
The Lady Flames will face the University of Virginia for their next game in Charlottesville, Va. on Dec. 7