Barnes Shines Bright: JMU Triumphs Over Marshall with a 71-59 Victory!

HARRISONBURG, Va. – Ashanti Barnes achieved a career-best 25 points along with 10 rebounds for her third Division I double-double, guiding James Madison women’s basketball to a 71-59 home victory over Marshall on Thursday evening.
 
The Dukes (12-4, 4-0 SBC) have secured four straight triumphs, while the Herd (5-10, 0-4 SBC) are experiencing a four-game losing streak to commence league competition.
 
Barnes concluded with 8-of-13 (.615) shooting from the field and went an unblemished 9-for-9 from the charity stripe, in addition to contributing four assists. Peyton McDaniel hit 3-of-5 (.600) from beyond the arc, totaling 15 points and recording three steals. Bree Robinson set a personal best with 12 points and collected three turnovers, while Jamia Hazell chipped in eight points.
 
CC Mays spearheaded Marshall with 19 points from 5-of-13 (3.85) shooting. Aislynn Hayes added 11 points but had eight turnovers in the defeat. TreShondra Williams also reached double digits with 10 points alongside one block.
 
Game Summary
First Quarter – JMU 12, Marshall 10

• Marshall opened with two quick three-pointers for a 6-2 advantage at the 7:52 mark but went scoreless for the next 4:55.
• Barnes netted eight points in the first quarter, helping the Dukes claim a 12-10 lead after the first.

 
Second Quarter – JMU 28, Marshall 32

• Hazell drained eight points, including a couple of corner threes during the period.
• The Dukes shot efficiently at a rate of 6-of-12 (.500) from the floor and 3-of-6 (.500) from long range.

 
Third Quarter – JMU 56, Marshall 33

• Barnes opened the period with a driving layup, followed by Kseniia Kozlova making a pair of free throws, extending JMU’s lead to 32-22 at the 8:42 mark.
• Following a three-pointer from Mays, the Dukes responded with an 8-0 run, highlighted by an and-one from Barnes to match her career-high of 17 points.
• JMU forced the Herd into 10 turnovers while shooting 8-of-13 (.615) from the field.

 
Fourth Quarter – JMU 71, Marshall 59

• The Herd outscored James Madison 26-15 in the final period, converting 7-of-14 (.500) from the field and 9-of-10 (.900) from the free throw line.

 
Game Highlights

• James Madison leads the all-time series against Marshall, 9-4.
• JMU dominated in points in the paint (34-22), points off turnovers (24-14), bench points (19-12), and fast break points (15-9).
• The Dukes secured their fourth consecutive victory, marking the longest streak for the program since achieving four straight wins last season from Feb. 28 to March 10.
• JMU holds a record of 33-0 since joining the Sun Belt when allowing 59 points or fewer.
• The Dukes’ 28 points in the third quarter represent the highest total by the program in a third quarter this season.
• Marshall’s 21 turnovers were the second-most committed by the team in the 2024-25 season, only surpassed by 22 giveaways at Penn State on Nov. 21.
• Notably, Marshall’s 22 points in the first half are the lowest by the program for a first half this season.
• Robinson’s three steals accounted for her sixth game this season recording three or more. Furthermore, the Dukes managed to achieve double-digit steals for the second time this season; JMU’s season-high reached 13 against Florida at the St. Pete Showcase on Nov. 29.