James Madison Rallies Back to Edge Tribe in CAA Tournament Quarterfinals, 53-46

03/14/08 3:30PM

NEWARK, Del. - The seventh-seeded William and Mary women’s basketball team led by as many as 12 points in the second half but fell to second-seeded James Madison, 53-46, in the CAA Tournament quarterfinals on Friday afternoon in Newark, Del.

Senior Kyra Kaylor recorded a game-high 16 points and three blocks to lead the Tribe (14-18), while freshman Katherine DeHenzel also finished in double figures scoring with 10 points to go with six steals. Kaylor finishes her career as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,873) and rebounder (1,124), ranking third all-time in the CAA in both categories. It also marked the final game for senior Devin James, who finishes her career fifth on W&M’s all-time scoring list (1,348) and second in career steals (251).

As a team, the Tribe held JMU (22-8) to its lowest scoring output of the season. Additionally, the College limited the Dukes to just 33.3 percent shooting.

While JMU jumped out to an early 5-2 advantage, the Tribe responded with nine straight points to take an 11-5 lead with 15:15 showing. Kaylor and DeHenzel scored all of the College’s points during the stretch, as they tallied six and five points, respectively.

Although the Dukes narrowed the margin to three, 17-14, following a basket by Jennifer Brown with 10:20 on the clock, W&M charged ahead with a 9-0 run to build a 26-14 cushion. The Tribe defense came up big during the stretch, holding the Dukes scoreless for more than six minutes. James and junior Courtney Portell both sank three-pointers to finish off the run.

Following a timeout by James Madison with 6:08 remaining in the half, however, the Dukes closed the stanza with a 6-0 run and trailed by just six, 26-20, at the intermission.

W&M limited James Madison to just 21.4 percent shooting in the first half and forced the Dukes into nine turnovers. Additionally, the College held CAA Player of the Year Tamera Young to just two points on 1-of-9 shooting. Kaylor led all scorers with nine points, while DeHenzel added seven points and three steals.

JMU cut the lead to 26-23 early in the second half, but the Tribe responded with a quick 9-0 run to equal its biggest lead of the game, 35-23. Kaylor punctuated the run with a pair of three-pointers from the left wing, while sophomore Tiffany Benson converted a traditional three-point play.

Following a timeout by JMU with 16:34 remaining, the Dukes battled back with a 6-0 spurt to narrow the margin to 35-29. However, the Tribe answered and quickly pushed the lead back to double figures, 41-31, after a jumper by James with a little more than 10 minutes to play.

The Dukes answered James’ bucket with a pivotal 14-2 run during the next 6:28 to reclaim the lead, 45-43. It was JMU’s first lead since the opening minutes of the contest.

While a three-pointer by DeHenzel with 3:14 remaining put W&M ahead, 46-45, it would be the final points scored by the Tribe as JMU registered the contest’s final eight points. A putback by Kisha Stokes at the 2:44 mark gave JMU a 47-46 lead, while a steal and layin by Young with 2:19 to play pushed the margin to three. The Dukes then closed out the game by going 4-of-4 from the free throw line down the stretch.

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