Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. –Senior center Jewel Tunstull notched a career-high 26 points and 14 free-throws to lead the Northeastern women's basketball team (8-14, 2-7 CAA) on Friday night, but it was not enough as first-place James Madison (18-4, 8-0 CAA) maintained its undefeated conference record with an 85-57 victory.

Tunstull led the Huskies in scoring for the eighth time this season, while Tiffany Montagne joined the Brooklyn, N.Y., native in double-figures with 11 points. Junior captain Amencie Mercier, who logged four points, led the team in assists with four. A'lece Mark added nine points, Samantha DeFreese tallied six, and Kazzidy Stewart contributed one point, a steal and an assist to round out the scoring for the Huskies.

Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Player of the Year Kirby Burkholder led all scorers with 30 points, while sophomore Precious Hall added 26 to set the pace for James Madison.

Both teams missed shots in the early goings of the contest before a Mark layup put the Huskies on the board first. With 17:57 on the clock, JMU's Toia Giggetts tossed a layup to trigger a 10-0 surge for the Dukes. Montagne broke the run with a pair of free throws, but James Madison posted the next seven points for a 17-4 lead.

In the ninth minute of play, Northeastern strung together consecutive shots, thanks to jumpers from Montagne and Tunstull, to come within nine, 17-8. James Madison held the Huskies scoreless for the next three minutes while launching another 9-point run. DeFreese collected four points with a couple of jump shots, but the Dukes claimed a 20-point advantage, good for the largest lead of the half.

With 2:38 left in the first frame, Northeastern posted an 8-0 surge, highlighted by four points from Tunstull, to close the gap within 13. Despite the run, Burkholder drained a jumper to send the Dukes into halftime with a 35-20 lead.

The second stanza opened with even play as the teams exchanged baskets in the opening minutes. Northeastern tallied the next five points to close the deficit to 15, but that is the closest NU would come for the remainder of the game. The Huskies surrendered 11 points before two free-throws from Tunstull sparked a 10-2 surge, capped with a Montagne 3-pointer, to bring the score to 61-41.

Fouls plagued both sides of the court as the Huskies recorded seven free throws in final five minutes of the contest, but it was not enough as James Madison ran away with an 85-57 victory.

For the game, Northeastern connected on 40 percent (16-40) of its shots, including 14 percent (2-14) from beyond the arc, and 74 percent (23-31) from the free-throw line. James Madison shot 47 percent (28-60) from the floor, 33 percent (8-24) from 3-point range, and 73 percent (21-29) from the charity stripe. The Dukes won the rebounding battle, 39-24.

The Huskies will close out their road tour when they head to Charleston, S.C., for the first time in program history to face conference newcomer College of Charleston on Sunday, Feb. 9. Tip off is set for 2 p.m.

Game Notes
• Jewel Tunstull recorded a career-high 26 points and 14 free-throws, to lead the Huskies in scoring for the eighth time this season.
• Amencie Mercier led he squad in assists for the 14th time this year with four assists.

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