GA Southern defeats James Madison 96-92
GA Southern Edges James Madison in Thrilling 96-92 Upset
In a dramatic turn of events, the Georgia Southern Eagles (HOME) outlasted the James Madison Dukes (AWAY) 96-92 on Sunday night at the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center. The game saw both teams battle through a back-and-forth affair, with GA Southern ultimately emerging victorious after erasing a two-point deficit in the second half.
The game began with a sluggish pace, as both teams struggled to find their footing. However, it was James Madison that took an early lead, building a 12-6 advantage midway through the first half. The Dukes continued to push the tempo, taking a 39-37 halftime lead.
But GA Southern would not be silenced. In the second half, the Eagles stormed back, outscoring their opponents 43-41 and eventually forcing overtime. With the game tied at 91-91, Nakavieon White hit a clutch three-pointer with just seconds remaining to put his team up by one.
White finished with 25 points, 2-8 from beyond the arc, and 43.8% shooting from the field, leading the Eagles' comeback effort. Shainen Carter added 8 rebounds and 5 points off the bench, while Spudd Webb chipped in with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
For James Madison, Bradley Douglas led the way with 27 points on 47.4% shooting from the field. Eddie Ricks III contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, but the Dukes struggled to contain White and the Eagles' offense.
The game's advanced statistics painted a clear picture of GA Southern's dominance in the second half. The Eagles held a significant advantage in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) during this period, shooting 58.5% compared to James Madison's 51.6%. Additionally, GA Southern's true shooting percentage rose from 55.4% in the first half to 60.3% in the second.
The win was a significant statement for the Eagles, who avenged an earlier loss to James Madison this season. The result also marked the Eagles' first victory over a ranked opponent since November, and it cemented their status as a force to be reckoned with in conference play.
In contrast, the Dukes saw their chances slip away after a strong first half. With the game hanging in the balance, James Madison's inability to contain White proved costly. The loss dropped James Madison to 0-1 against ranked opponents this season, and it marked a tough pill for the team to swallow in their bid for conference supremacy.
As the Eagles celebrated their hard-fought win, they knew that every possession mattered. With the game hanging by a single point, GA Southern's resilience and determination proved to be the difference-maker. The win marked a turning point in the season, as the Eagles look to build momentum towards the conference tournament.