Harrisonburg, VA - James Madison trailed Wake Forest by two points with just over a minute remaining in the game, but Jamia Hazell and Chloe Sterling made clutch plays down the stretch to lead the Dukes to a 55-53 victory on Sunday afternoon.

The Dukes (6-2) were led by redshirt junior Steph Ouderkirk, who had 14 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Chloe Sterling tied her career high of 10 points off the bench and grabbed a pair of boards. Redshirt junior Kseniia Kozlova also registered 10 points while pulling down six rebounds and dishing out a team-best three assists.

Elise Williams was the lone Deacon with double figures in scoring with 13 to go along with eight boards, while Kaia Harrison and Madisyn Jordan chipped in with nine points apiece.

How It Happened

First Quarter

Wake Forest led 8-5 at the first media timeout, with redshirt junior Steph Ouderkirk responsible for all of JMU's points. Graduate student Carole Miller was the only other Duke to score in the period, resulting in a 15-9 advantage for the Demon Deacons after 10.

Second Quarter

Wake sank two free throws to make it 17-9 at the 8:29 mark. Redshirt sophomore Peyton McDaniel nailed a triple to spark the Dukes' offense, which cut the deficit to three (19-16) halfway through the frame. Redshirt junior Jamia Hazell grabbed a rebound and took it the length of the court to give James Madison a 20-19 edge with 2:15 to play in the half. The Demon Deacons regained control, but Sterling knocked down a three-pointer in the waning seconds as the Dukes trailed 24-23 at the break.

Third Quarter

The JMU offense built a 34-28 advantage at the 5:15 mark, highlighted by a tough layup from redshirt junior Annalicia Goodman. Ouderkirk connected on a fadeaway jumper with four ticks left to give the Dukes a 40-36 cushion heading into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter

James Madison held Wake Forest scoreless until the 6:16 mark when it hit a three-pointer followed by a jumper on the ensuing possession to trail 49-41. A JMU 4:55 scoring drought and 15-0 run over 4:01 for Demon Deacons gave them the lead back with 2:15 remaining in the game (51-49). Kozlova made a layup to tie the game at 51 with 1:50 to play, but Wake answered with a jumper by Harrison moments later. Hazell then scored a physical layup with 1:02 to play to tie the game at 53. Sterling got to the line and made one of two free throws to give the Dukes a 54-53 edge with 23 seconds remaining. A missed Wake Forest jumper by Williams went in and out to give JMU possession and to maintain a one-point lead with 2.5 seconds left in the game. Hazell split a pair of shots from the charity stripe with 1.5 seconds left. On the ensuing play, McDaniel intercepted inbound to seal the deal.

Game Notes

• James Madison leads the all-time series against Wake Forest, 7-5.
• The victory was JMU's first over an ACC team since 2021, when the Dukes took down Virginia 84-69 on Nov. 5.
• JMU won the rebounding battle (40-36) and the turnover battle (14-12), while the Demon Deacons' bench edged the Dukes' (19-16).
• Twelve turnovers ties a season-low for James Madison against a Division I opponent. JMU previously turned the ball over 12 times versus VCU on Nov. 19.
• Sterling's 10 points is her best scoring output against a Division I opponent. The sophomore scored 10 in the season opener against Eastern Mennonite (DIII) on Nov. 6.
• James Madison led by as much as 13, pulling ahead 49-36 with 7:10 remaining in the contest.

Up Next

James Madison welcomes William Mary on Thursday, Dec. 7 for the Dukes' final home game of the non-conference slate.