After rattling off three easy wins in the cozy confines of John Paul Jones Arena, the Virginia women's basketball team fell 82-80 to the Dukes of James Madison last night in the final minute of the game. After being down 3-2 in the first minute of play, the Cavaliers led the Dukes unti lthe final minute, when JMU's Dawn Evans hit the go-ahead three with only 35 seconds to go.
It was just three of Evans' 42 points on the night, a record at the JMU Convocation Center. Evans also broke the career CAA 3 point record of 323 made 3 pointers.
The Cavaliers fall to 7-5 on the season, and it's the first loss the Cavaliers have suffered against a team ranked outside the top 20.
Virginia led by as many 13 points late in the second half, but a 10-0 run in just under two minutes tied up the game with just 1:24 to go.Chelsea Shine led the way for the Cavaliers with 19 points, while Lexie Gerson, Ataira Franklin and Ariana Moorer had 12 points a piece. Whitny Edwards also made it into double figures with 10 points. Franklin also notched her first double double, leading the team with 10 rebounds.
Virginia returns to JPJA, where they are undefeated on the season, next Tuesday and Wednesday for the Marriott Cavalier Classic. The Hoos will face North Carolina A&T on Dec. 28 at 7:00 p.m., followed by either East Tennessee State or Holy Cross on Dec. 29.