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James Madison women top Villanova with strong finish

The Wildcats finished nonconference play at 6-6. Sophomore guard Maddie Webber scored 16 points to lead Villanova.

Maddie Webber of Villanova in action against Penn on Nov. 20.
Maddie Webber of Villanova in action against Penn on Nov. 20.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer

Jamia Hazell’s layup with 3.6 seconds left put James Madison ahead to stay Sunday as the Dukes defeated Villanova, 71-67, in a nonconference game at the Finneran Pavilion. The Wildcats failed to respond, committing a costly out-of-bounds turnover and a foul in the final seconds.

Peyton McDaniel paced James Madison with 13 points and added seven rebounds. Hazell chipped in 12 points as four Dukes finished in double figures.

Sophomore guard Maddie Webber scored 16 points on 6-of-15 shooting for Villanova and graduate guard Maddie Burke contributed 15 points. Villanova (6-6) wrapped up its nonconference schedule. James Madison improved to 8-3.

Tight first half

Both teams shot 16-for-33 from the field in the first half, which saw ‘Nova take a 40-36 lead. Burke brought the energy for the Wildcats from the start, sinking a pair of three-pointers along with a turnaround jumper assisted by freshman point guard Jasmine Bascoe.

Injury problems

The Wildcats were without junior guard and leading rebounder Denae Carter, who was injured in the game against Delaware on Wednesday. Coach Denise Dillon said Carter is day to day.

“[Carter] took a bad hit in the Delaware game, but is definitely feeling a little better,” Dillon said. “I’m counting on having her for our first Big East game [on Saturday].”

Junior guard Ryanne Allen stepped in defensively without Carter on the court. Allen, a Vanderbilt transfer who missed the first eight games with a knee injury, also scored her first points as a Wildcat with a second-chance layup in the second quarter. Allen finished the game with a team-high eight rebounds and a blocked shot.

“We had to get [Allen] some practices,” Dillon said. “It certainly paid off, not with the result of the game, but with getting her more time. She was our leading rebounder, which was great. Just the will and the want for the basketball is key with this group and it was great to have her out there.”

Dukes come back

Villanova led by 58-51, but the Dukes went on a 7-0 run over 3 minutes, 13 seconds in the fourth. Bronagh Power-Cassidy ended Villanova’s scoring drought with a three-pointer with five minutes left. The Dukes’ Zakiya Stephenson scored a basket for a 65-63 lead, spurring Dillon to use a timeout.

Three personal fouls on Villanova in the last two minutes allowed JMU to tack on four more points from the foul line. The Wildcats also committed eight turnovers in the fourth quarter.

Up next

Villanova will open its Big East schedule Saturday at 2 p.m. with a home game against St. John’s (10-1).

“These practices will be ideal in getting them ready for Big East play,” Dillon said. “We have a lot to work on. From start to finish, this group shows up every day, it’s just finding that consistency and confidence in what they’re doing on both ends of the floor, and working it out together.”