James Madison knocks Hoosiers out of WNIT

A season marked by youth and inconsistency came to an end for the IU women’s basketball team Saturday night at the hands of visiting James Madison. More specifically, the Hoosiers were derailed by two guards, senior Tamera Young and freshman Dawn Evans, who combined for 68 points in the Dukes’ 86-81 overtime win at Assembly Hall. \nThe Dukes battled IU for the middle 20 minutes of the game, rallying from as many as 10 points down to take their first lead at 14:16 in the second half. However, IU used strong defensive pressure and a solid transition offense to remain in the lead through most of the frame.\nJames Madison did not go quietly, however, using strong 3-point shooting down the stretch to keep the score close, and a Young layup with five seconds remaining sent the game to overtime. \nFrom there, 3-point and free throw shooting doomed the Hoosiers to an early exit from their third WNIT in as many years. \nJames Madison’s 6-foot-2 star Young wasted no time reminding those in attendance why she is the Dukes’ all-time leading scorer. The senior from Wilmington, N.C., poured in 30 points, 17 in the first half alone. \nBut it was Evans who stole the day, cramming the stat sheet to the tune of 38 points – tying Young’s program-high, set just two days ago against Radford – with 33 in the second half and overtime. \nShe also helped ice the game, hitting several clutch free throws late in the game to seal James Madison’s victory. \nJunior forward Whitney Thomas said she and her teammates knew coming that Young and Evans would be threats, but she said the Hoosiers didn’t look at either player as un-guardable.\n“We knew they were great players,” Thomas said. “When you lose, you go home, so those shots are going to happen when you have that in your mind.” \nIU answered Evans and Young with their patented balanced attack, as five players reached double figures. Thomas led the Hoosiers with 26 points – a career high – and eight rebounds. She was joined by low-post mate junior Amber Jackson, who scored 15 points. \nIU emphasized the low post on the offensive end, and led James Madison 30-26 in points in the paint for the game. IU coach Felisha Legette-Jack said afterward that going down low wasn’t originally part of the game plan for the Hoosiers. \n“We said we were going to dictate, and whoever gets the opportunity to be successful offensively, we’re going to go to that well until that well ran dry,” Legette-Jack said. “It kind of set itself up to be an inside game at the beginning.”\nThe Hoosiers struggled mightily against James Madison on the glass. The Dukes beat IU 49-32 in rebounds, notching nearly as many offensive rebounds as IU has total boards. \nJames Madison coach Kenny Brooks said after the game that rebounding has been his team’s bread and butter all season. \n“We’ve done it since game one,” he said. “It’s been a big part of us.”\nLegette-Jack praised her team’s effort after the game – both Saturday night and all season. She was emotional after the game when talking about the pride she felt for her team and what they accomplished this season. \n“There’s a place for this team in a higher place,” she said, wiping tears from her face. “For some reason, it just isn’t right now. And I can go on all day about my pride of each individual, but know (that) they fill me with joy.”