James Madison University Claims Sun Belt Tournament Championship
In a decisive victory, James Madison University claimed their second Sun Belt Tournament championship by defeating Troy 69-52 on Monday in Pensacola, Florida. Leading the charge for the Dukes was Peyton McDaniel, who notched an impressive 28 points along with 10 rebounds. Ashanti Barnes also contributed significantly, recording a double-double with 19 points and 12 boards.
Significant Achievements
This marks a significant achievement for James Madison, which has reached the Sun Belt title game for the fourth consecutive year — a feat not accomplished since Middle Tennessee’s streak from 2003 to 2010. The Dukes, holding the No. 4 seed, are now the first team to win the championship from that seed since Troy did it during the 2015-16 season. Notably, McDaniel had previously scored 30 points when James Madison last secured the title in 2023.
Game Highlights
The game began with an impressive 13-0 run by James Madison, featuring six straight field goals, while Troy struggled offensively, missing their first 11 shot attempts. The Dukes further solidified their lead by starting the third quarter with a 14-4 run, ending with a score of 48-34. They extended their advantage with an 8-0 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter, maintaining control of the game.
McDaniel’s performance earned her the accolade of most outstanding player of the tournament, as she shot 11-of-23 overall and made five of her 12 attempts from three-point range.
Troy’s Fortuna Ngnawo finished with team highs of 18 points and 12 rebounds before leaving the game late due to an injury. Emani Jenkins finally hit Troy’s first three-pointer of the game after nine attempts, with 5:27 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Trojans were aiming for their fourth Sun Belt title after previously winning in 2016, 2017, and 2021.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, James Madison extends their winning streak to 12 games and secures a place in the NCAA Tournament, marking the program’s 14th appearance in the national championships.
