James Madison Dukes (9-8, 2-3 SBC) vs. Marshall Thundering Herd (10-8, 3-2 SBC)
Jan. 16, 2025 – 7 p.m. ET
Harrisonburg, Va. – Atlantic Union Bank Center
Game Links
Live Stats · Audio Broadcast · ESPN+ · JMU Game Notes
JMUSports.com · @JMUMBasketball · #GoDukes
DUKES RETURN HOME TO HOST THUNDERING HERD THURSDAY
- After concluding a two-game away series, James Madison comes back to Harrisonburg and the Atlantic Union Bank Center to face Marshall on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m.
- This encounter marks the second clash in a week between these two institutions, with Marshall securing an 80-78 triumph over JMU the previous Thursday in Huntington.
- The Thundering Herd enters this matchup with a 10-8 (3-2 SBC) standing after defeating Georgia Southern 81-69 on Saturday, whereas JMU holds a record of 9-8 and 2-3 in Sun Belt competition.
- ESPN+ will provide coverage of the game, featuring Curt Dudley (PxP), Kirby Dean (color), and David Hulvey (sideline).
- Radio coverage will be offered by Dave Riggert on WSVA 92.1 FM | 550 AM and the Varsity Network App, commencing 30 minutes before the game.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
- All-time, JMU boasts a 7-3 advantage against Marshall and a 4-2 lead against the Thundering Herd as Sun Belt rivals.
- Marshall overturned JMU with an 80-78 victory on Thursday, Jan. 9, ending a three-game losing streak against the Dukes.
- Historically, JMU holds a 3-1 advantage against the Thundering Herd in Harrisonburg, including a 67-52 victory on Jan. 20, 2024.
- Marshall’s solitary success against JMU on Harrisonburg soil occurred on Feb. 20, 2023 (92-83).
ABOUT MARSHALL
- Marshall presently stands at 10-8 and 3-2 in Sun Belt play. The Thundering Herd clinched a victory over Georgia Southern 81-69 on Jan. 11 following their initial matchup this season against JMU on Jan. 9, which they won by last-second free throws, 80-78.
- As a collective, Marshall ranks third in the Sun Belt for scoring offense, averaging 75.5 points per game, while allowing 71.6 points per game.
- In their two games last week, the Thundering Herd recorded a combined shooting performance of 23-of-50 (.460) from three-point range after entering last Thursday’s contest against JMU ranked last in the Sun Belt at 28.1 percent for three-pointers.
- Four athletes are contributing double-digit points: Mikal Dawson (13.3), Obinna Anochili-Killen (12.5), Dezayne Mingo (11.3), and Nate Martin (10). Martin leads Marshall in rebounding with an average of 7.9 per game.
- Subsequent to this contest, The Herd will proceed to Coastal Carolina (Jan. 18), Georgia State (Jan. 23), and Georgia Southern (Jan. 25).
LAST TIME VS. THE HERD
- On Jan. 9, the squads faced off in Huntington, with Marshall narrowly defeating JMU 80-78 in the closing moments.
- Mark Freeman contributed 31 points and seven rebounds, scoring the last seven points for JMU. Nonetheless, Marshall’s Cade Gibbs was fouled by AJ Smith just as the clock expired, converting two free throws to secure the victory for The Herd.
- Jalen Speer achieved 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 7-of-7 from beyond the arc, making him the only player in this season’s Division I Men’s Basketball to hit seven threes without a miss.
- Mikal Dawson and Gibbs each finished with 17 points as Marshall completed 13-of-24 (.542) from three-point range—its highest number of three-pointers against a Division I opponent this season.
- This victory marked The Herd’s first victory over JMU at home since Dec. 7, 2010 (67-63).
LAST TIME OUT
- App State embarked on a 26-4 run that spanned both halves and netted 49 points in the first half to seize control, ultimately defeating James Madison, 86-66, in Sun Belt Men’s Basketball on Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone, N.C.
- JMU (9-8, 2-3 SBC) connected on just 34.8 percent of their shots and committed 13 turnovers, while App State (9-7, 3-2 SBC) achieved a season-high (against DI) shooting accuracy of 53.8 percent and made 10-of-17 (.588) from deep.
- Elijah Hutchins-Everett led the charge for JMU with 19 points and nine rebounds. AJ Smith contributed with 13 points—11 in the second half—and grabbed six rebounds.
- The trio of CJ Huntley (21), Myles Tate (21), and Jalil Beaubrun (16) all significant contributions, with Huntley pulling down a team-high eight rebounds.
- App State concluded with 14 assists on 28 successful field goals, with Tate leading the way with seven assists.
- Mark Freeman tallied 10 points, raising his career total to 1,501. As of Jan. 13, he is one of nine active Division I Men’s Basketball players with 1,500 career points and 500 career assists.
COOKIN’ AT THE BANK
- The Atlantic Union Bank Center has served as the venue for James Madison men’s and women’s basketball since the 2020-21 campaign. This season, JMU boasts a record of 7-1 within the welcoming walls of the AUBC, owning a 51-15 (.772) home record since the facility’s opening.
- Throughout 2023-24, JMU concluded with a home record of 14-1, with their only defeat coming against App State (59-55) on Jan. 13, 2024.
- Versus Sun Belt adversaries, the Dukes hold a 16-4 record in home games dating back to 2022-23. Their last defeat on home soil to a Sun Belt foe transpired against App State on Jan. 13, 2024.
- Since the inception of the Atlantic Union Bank Center in 2020, the Dukes have a commendable 27-3 record against non-conference rivals. The defeat against George Mason marked JMU’s first loss at home to a non-conference opponent since Jan. 3, 2021 against Morgan State (80-73).
FREEMAN JOINS 1,500-POINT, 500-ASSIST CLUB
- Redshirt senior guard Mark Freeman reached a milestone, becoming one of nine active Division I players with 1,500 career points and 500 career assists (as of Monday, January 13) after netting 10 points at App State last Saturday. Currently, he stands at 1,501 career points and 504 assists heading into this week’s matchups.
- Since the beginning of 2025, Freeman has averaged 19.5 points per game and has recorded two 30-point performances in the last four outings. • In conference play, the Memphis native has averaged 16.8 points per game, which ranks as the eighth-highest in the Sun Belt.
- Freeman logged a season-best 31 points at Marshall on Thursday, marking his second 30-point game in a week and the fifth of his career.
- His 30-point outing against Southern Miss, achieved on just 16 attempts, stands as the third-highest mark for a JMU player since the Atlantic Union Bank Center’s launch prior to the 2020-21 season, behind Vado Morse (32) and Julien Wooden (31).
- In 17 games throughout 2024-25, Freeman leads JMU in points per game (13.0), assists (58), and assists per game (3.4).
- In a matchup against Arkansas State on Jan. 4, he achieved his 500th career assist and, as of Monday, Jan. 13, is one of 22 active Division I Men’s Basketball players with 500 or more assists.