Arkansas State women beat top-seeded James Madison for the program's first NCAA Tournament bid
James Madison forward Ashanti Barnes, left, looks to shoot against Arkansas State forward Nissa Sam-Grant, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the Sun Belt Conference tournament in Pensacola, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2025. Credit: AP/Daniel Lin
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Crislyn Rose scored 23 points, Mimi McCollister added 16 and No. 2 seed Arkansas State beat top-seeded James Madison 86-79 in overtime on Monday for the program's first Sun Belt Tournament championship.
Arkansas State (21-10) clinched the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance after handing James Madison (28-5) its first loss since Dec. 19.
JMU entered on a 20-game winning streak, including an 18-0 conference record. The Dukes were seeking their second Sun Belt Conference title since joining in 2022 and their 11th league tournament championship in program history.
McCollister made back-to-back 3-pointers in a span of 23 seconds to tie it at 63-all with 5:57 left in the fourth quarter. Following JMU's second straight turnover, Rose sank another 3-pointer to give Arkansas State its first lead since it was 23-21 late in the first quarter.
Rose made a long jumper with her foot on the arc and she added a 3-pointer from the corner on the next possession for a 77-71 lead in overtime. Ashanti Barnes finally made JMU’s first overtime field goal at the 2:02 mark. But the Dukes gave up two offensive rebounds at the other end and McCollister and Wynter Rogers combined to make 3 of 4 free throws to make it 80-73.
Anna Griffin added 13 points, Rogers had 12 and Kennedie Montue 11 for Arkansas State.
Peyton McDaniel led James Madison (28-5) with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Barnes also had a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards.
Arkansas State guard Zyion Shannon (21) drives around James Madison guard Jamia Hazell (25) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the Sun Belt Conference tournament in Pensacola, Fla., Monday, March 10, 2025. Credit: AP/Daniel Lin
McDaniel scored seven points during a 17-0 run in the second quarter to give James Madison a 40-23 lead. The Dukes led 40-32 at the break.
A win would have marked 21 consecutive victories for the Dukes, matching the longest winning streak in program history with the 1990-91 team.
