Women’s Basketball Defeated By James Madison, 85-72, Wednesday Night

Dec. 6, 2006

HARRISONBURG, VA – The Clemson women’s basketball team suffered an 85-72 defeat to James Madison on Wednesday night at the JMU Convocation Center in Harrisonburg, VA. The Lady Tigers outscored the Dukes, 43-35, in the second half but could not overcome a 21-point halftime deficit to fall to 3-6 on the year.

James Madison improved to 5-1 with the win.

Tasha Taylor posted a team-high 17 points for Clemson while collecting six rebounds and five assists on the night. Christy Brown added 13 points in the effort and D’Lesha Lloyd posted 12 to score in double figures for the fifth straight game.

Meredith Alexis led the Dukes with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Tamera Young totaled 18 points and pulled down seven boards on the night.

Both teams shot 50% from the field, as the Lady Tigers were 29-58 and James Madison made 28 of 56, but the Dukes converted 20 free throws and nine three-pointers compared to nine and five by Clemson.

James Madison led 13-4 five minutes into the game before D’Lesha Lloyd, Clemson’s leading scorer, played just eight minutes in the half after picking up two quick fouls. She reentered the game and hit two straight jumpers to bring the Lady Tigers within 11 at 25-14 at the 7:57 mark.

The Dukes’ lead hit 20 points, 42-22, with 2:53 remaining and the difference remained at 20 after the teams traded baskets. Taylor drained a jumper and then completed a three-point play to narrow the gap to 17 points with 1:36 remaining. However, James Madison scored six points in the final 1:16 of the period and took a 50-29 lead into the lockerroom

Taylor then scored the first seven points of the second half for Clemson and a Brown three-pointer cut the Dukes’ lead to 16 with 15:47 remaining. After James Madison widened the gap back to 19 points at 60-41 at the 14:08 mark, the Lady Tigers came within 15 at 62-47 with 12:39 remaining as Lloyd hit a jumper and Brown drained her second three of the game.

However, back-to-back three pointers by the Dukes gave them their largest lead to that point at 69-47. The margin reached 22 two more times before the under eight minute timeout, as James Madison held a 75-53 advantage.

Clemson outscored the Dukes 19-10 in the final 7:57, but the run was not enough to undo the first half deficit and the Lady Tigers fell, 85-72.

Clemson will return to Littlejohn Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 10 as they will play host to Kennesaw State. The games is slated to tip off at 3:00 pm.