WBB vs JMU in WNIT Thursday at 7PM

The Lady Hokies play the JMU Dukes at 7PM tonight in the Sweet 16 round of the WNIT. The game is on Madizone HD sports network and JMU Sprint broadcast network. The game does not seem to be on ESPN3 or ACC Network.

JMU is 27-5 and 16-0 at home this year. Evidently the WNIT rates JMU as a higher seed than VT because the game is at JMU. In their first 2 games the Dukes beat North Carolina A&T 48-37 and USF 71-54. Both games were at JMU.

JMU Roster:

JMU Season Stats:

JMU Season Averages:

Jackie Benitez, who has only started 5 games has played well in the tournament. In the last game against USF, she scored 26 points on 7-15 from 3 and 9-18 overall. On the season, she is only a 32% shooter overall and 29% from 3. Hopefully her last game will not repeat tonight. Against NC A&T she was 2-10 from 3 and 4-15 overall.

Kiamah Smalls did not play at NC A&T but scored 17 points on 2-7 from 3; 4-10 overall; and 7-8 FT. She is averaging 40% from 3 on the season.

Merritt Devon, who is 6;2", scored 8 and 15 in tournament games shooting over 50% with no 3 point attempts.

Kayla Cooper-Williams, the other 6'2" starter, pulled down 17 and 9 rebounds in the 2 WNIT games while scoring 6 and 3 points. She also does not shoot from 3.

Lexie Barrier, who started 29 games, has not played in the WNIT. I could not find anything about why she is not playing.

I was really hoping we would not play JMU in this game. I'm sure Coach Brooks is not happy to be returning to Harrisonburg to play an important game against one of his disciples. Looks like their bigs are going to be a challenge for Baptiste and Magarity. Hopefully Emery and Mabrey can have good games. If Mabrey can get hot from outside, it may open the game up. Even though the WNIT has JMU as a higher seed, I can't help but think VT is the better team and should be able to move on. In Blacksburg, it would be almost guaranteed. Playing in Harrisonburg will make this a close game.