Dukes Beat Elon to Set a Date With Drexel
In a special mumps-delayed matchup, JMU defeated Elon in the regular season finale by the score of 90-84. This was not a CAA rock fight of yesteryear. It was a perfect example of the league in 2018, an up and down affair with plenty of good shooting in which no lead was safe. The Dukes looked to be ready to cruise home to a comfortable win after taking a double-digit lead into halftime. Elon stormed out of the break to battle back and make it a close game. Because it was the Dukes, it actually was a one possession game in the final minutes. Thankfully, the good guys knocked down the free throws when they needed to and closed out the win.
After a couple of uncharacteristically slow games, Stuckey Mosley got his groove back. He poured in 29 points. Matt Lewis was quiet from the field, but nailed 8 of 8 from the stripe, to finish with 12 points. Darius Banks dropped 18 in another strong outing. Really, everyone contributed.
The win clinched 9th place in the league for JMU, which is not last place. (Glass half-full people.) It also sets up a date with Drexel in the opening round of the CAA Tournament on Saturday. The winner of that game, earns the right to play the regular season co-champ and #1 seed, College of Charleston. The Dukes have a tough road, but anything is possible. And if you’re a Ken Pom guy, his numbers currently show JMU with the best shot of any team playing Saturday (top 6 teams get a byes) to win it all. At the very least, it’s a chance for fans to watch some good basketball and an opportunity for these young freshmen to get some tourney experience.