
Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com
James Madison Outlasts Southern Miss, 63-54, in a Battle of Sun Belt of Unbeatens
1/7/2023 5:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – James Madison spoils Southern Miss' perfect start to Sun Belt Conference play after a 63-54 decision. The Dukes used a 21-point opening frame and 22 free throw attempts to outlast Southern Miss in Reed Green Coliseum.
Southern Miss falls to 10-5 and 3-1 in Sun Belt play, the Lady Eagles' first loss since Dec. 11 against Alabama, ending a five-game winning streak.
James Madison (14-2, 4-0 Sun Belt) heads back to the commonwealth in the driver's seat of the Sun Belt Conference, now the only undefeated program in the league.
Tale of the Tape
JMU opened the game ready for everything, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes, forcing a timeout from Lady Eagle head coach Joye Lee-McNelis.
Southern Miss eventually stopped the bleeding after a jumper from Jacorriah Bracey (Drew, Miss. // Ole Miss) to make it an eight-point game but James Madison kept on and rode a 15-point lead into the second quarter.
Looking down the barrel of a 21-6 deficit, Southern Miss clawed back in the second quarter, using a 61.5 percent shooting performance and 19 points to find themselves 28-25 heading to the locker room.
James Madison once again opened the half strong, quickly taking another 10-point lead heading into the third quarter media timeout.
Despite shooting 42.9 percent, Southern Miss continued to trail as James Madison outscored the Black & Gold 19-17. The Dukes took eight trips to the line on eight foul calls. Southern Miss did not attempt a free throw and got just one foul call in the frame.
Femi Funeus (Plantation, Fla. // Seton Hall) nailed a second chance attempt with 7:32 left to play to make it 47-44 in favor of the Dukes—Southern Miss' closest taste of the lead all day.
However, James Madison did just enough to keep the lead and outlast the Lady Eagles with a 4-of-8 shooting performance and 8-of-9 performance from the line.
McNelis' crew attempted 23 field goals in the final frame, converting just eight. Domonique Davis (DeRidder, La. // LSU) and Rose Warren (Puckett, Miss. // Puckett HS) fouled out in the final five minutes.
Up Next
Southern Miss women's basketball stays in Hattiesburg to continue its homestand against Arkansas State next Thursday, Jan. 12. Tipoff against the Red Wolves is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Southern Miss falls to 10-5 and 3-1 in Sun Belt play, the Lady Eagles' first loss since Dec. 11 against Alabama, ending a five-game winning streak.
James Madison (14-2, 4-0 Sun Belt) heads back to the commonwealth in the driver's seat of the Sun Belt Conference, now the only undefeated program in the league.
Tale of the Tape
JMU opened the game ready for everything, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes, forcing a timeout from Lady Eagle head coach Joye Lee-McNelis.
Southern Miss eventually stopped the bleeding after a jumper from Jacorriah Bracey (Drew, Miss. // Ole Miss) to make it an eight-point game but James Madison kept on and rode a 15-point lead into the second quarter.
Looking down the barrel of a 21-6 deficit, Southern Miss clawed back in the second quarter, using a 61.5 percent shooting performance and 19 points to find themselves 28-25 heading to the locker room.
James Madison once again opened the half strong, quickly taking another 10-point lead heading into the third quarter media timeout.
Despite shooting 42.9 percent, Southern Miss continued to trail as James Madison outscored the Black & Gold 19-17. The Dukes took eight trips to the line on eight foul calls. Southern Miss did not attempt a free throw and got just one foul call in the frame.
Femi Funeus (Plantation, Fla. // Seton Hall) nailed a second chance attempt with 7:32 left to play to make it 47-44 in favor of the Dukes—Southern Miss' closest taste of the lead all day.
However, James Madison did just enough to keep the lead and outlast the Lady Eagles with a 4-of-8 shooting performance and 8-of-9 performance from the line.
McNelis' crew attempted 23 field goals in the final frame, converting just eight. Domonique Davis (DeRidder, La. // LSU) and Rose Warren (Puckett, Miss. // Puckett HS) fouled out in the final five minutes.
Up Next
Southern Miss women's basketball stays in Hattiesburg to continue its homestand against Arkansas State next Thursday, Jan. 12. Tipoff against the Red Wolves is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
JMU
USM
FG%
.477
.364
3FG%
.211
.071
FT%
.773
.833
RB
36
34
TO
22
14
STL
4
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Players Mentioned
Missy Bilderback Presser - March 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27
Jeremy McClain Presser - March 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27
Missy Bilderback Introductory Press Conference
Thursday, March 27
Thank You Coach Joye Lee-McNelis
Saturday, March 01