The James Madison Dukes secured a hard-fought 81-79 victory over the Georgia State Panthers, with Cliff Davis leading the charge with 27 points. This closely contested matchup saw both teams battle it out, with the Dukes ultimately emerging victorious by a slim 2-point margin. The Panthers' Jelani Hamilton put up an impressive 28 points and 7 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Dukes' balanced attack. James Madison improved to 13-13 on the season, while Georgia State fell to 9-17.
Cliff Davis and Jelani Hamilton Combine for 55 Points in James Madison's 81-79 Victory
The game got off to a fast start, with the Dukes taking a 41-33 lead into halftime. However, the Panthers refused to back down, outscoring James Madison 37-29 in the second half to set up a thrilling finish. The Dukes' Justin McBride chipped in with 22 points and 9 rebounds, while Gabe Newhof added 11 points and 8 rebounds. For the Panthers, Micah Tucker contributed 20 points and 5 assists, and Malachi Brown had 9 points and 5 rebounds. The Dukes' ability to hold off the Panthers' late surge was crucial, as they limited Georgia State to just 9 points in the overtime period.
Cliff Davis and Jelani Hamilton stole the show, combining for 55 points on the night. Davis's 27 points led the Dukes, while Hamilton's 28 points paced the Panthers. Justin McBride's 22 points and 9 rebounds were also key for James Madison, as they improved their record to 13-13. For Georgia State, Micah Tucker's 20 points and 5 assists were notable, but the Panthers ultimately fell short. The top performers for both teams showed their skills, with Davis and Hamilton taking center stage. The Dukes' balanced attack, which included 11 points from Gabe Newhof, was too much for the Panthers to handle.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The Dukes outscored the Panthers 41-33 in the first half, but were outscored 37-29 in the second half. James Madison's overtime performance was crucial, as they outscored Georgia State 11-9 in the extra period. The Dukes' 81 points were their highest total in their last 5 games, and their 13-13 record reflects their inconsistent play. The Panthers, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistency, with their 9-17 record a reflection of their up-and-down season. The Dukes' 227 NET ranking and the Panthers' 273 NET ranking indicate a significant gap between the two teams, but the final score suggests a much closer contest.
The CHD Scout prediction model correctly picked James Madison to win, but the predicted margin of 10.4 points was far off from the actual 2-point margin. The model's predicted score of 78-68 was also inaccurate, as the game went into overtime. Despite this, the model was correct in predicting the winner, and James Madison's 81-79 victory validates the model's assessment of the Dukes' strengths. The model's prediction was based on the teams' statistics, including their NET rankings and past performances. In this case, the model correctly identified James Madison as the stronger team, but underestimated the Panthers' ability to keep the game close.
This game was a Quadrant 4 matchup for James Madison, and a Quadrant 3 matchup for Georgia State. The Dukes' victory improves their resume, but the close margin may not significantly impact their NET ranking. The Panthers, meanwhile, will likely see their NET ranking drop, as they fell to 9-17 on the season. The Dukes' 13-13 record and 227 NET ranking make them a bubble team, while the Panthers' 9-17 record and 273 NET ranking put them firmly outside the tournament picture. The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams, as they look to improve their resumes and make a push for the postseason.
The James Madison Dukes want to build on this victory as they face their next opponent, while the Georgia State Panthers will aim to bounce back from this tough loss. The Dukes' schedule includes several challenging matchups, including a game against a top-100 opponent. The Panthers, meanwhile, will face a mix of tough and winnable games, as they look to improve their record and make a late push for the postseason. With 5 games remaining in the regular season, both teams want to make a strong finish and set themselves up for success in the conference tournament.