In the 96th game of the in-state rivalry the Patriots toppled the Dukes, 80-77, in overtime, winning their 46^th game of the series and improving to 4-3 on the season. With the win the Patriots have a winning record for the first time since January 4, 2014 at 7-6.

James Madison jumped out to an early lead, 11-5, their largest of the half, with 13:49 left on the clock. Mason would go on an 8-0 run. Otis Livingston II tied it with 3-pointer then Ian Boyd stole the ball and passed ahead to Justin Kier for the lay-up. Boyd had two steals and three rebounds for the Patriots in 13 first half minutes.

The teams would trade baskets and knot it up for the fifth time at 22-22 with 4:37 left in the half. With the Dukes in the double bonus, Mason would score their next five points from the line until freshman Karmari Newman hit a layup with 1:10 left. Newman would hit a 3-pointer 40 seconds later to take a one-point lead but JMU's Shakir Brown hit a 3-pointer with :05 seconds left and a Dukes 32-30 lead at the half.

James Madison would take their largest lead of seven twice in the second half, the latest at 49-42. Mason would go on a 10-3 run, including a Newman trey and several Moore free throws to tie the game at 52.  The two teams would trade baskets and would be tied again at 60-60. With 2:34 left Jaire Grayer would give the Patriots a 3-point lead, but the Dukes Brown would immediately answer with a three.

The Patriots had an empty possession to give the Dukes the ball with 6.1 seconds remaining. Ivan Lukic put up a desperation three just over half court but the miss would send the game into overtime tied at 67-67.

In the overtime, freshman Ian Boyd came up big for Mason. JMU won the opening tip and scored on their first possession. Moore would answer with a layup, but JMU would take a four-point lead at 74-70. Boyd would then hit a big three-point shot to climb back to within one and he would also get the next rebound and get fouled by Brown. He made both, his ninth and 10^th free throw of the game, and the Patriots had the one-point lead. The Dukes Jackson Kent would give Madison their last lead at 76-75. Mason would get a Moore jumper and a free throw to end all the scoring. The Dukes missed a desperation three at the end.

NOTES:

• Ian Boyd was 10-of-12 from the line. The last time a Mason player made 10 free throws in a game was Marquise Moore last season (12/22/15).
• Five Patriots scored in double figures
• Moore scored 20 plus points for a second time this season with 20. He also had four drives to the hoop that he made the bucket and was fouled. He converted 3-4.
• Madison was led by Jackson Kent (19 points) and Shakir Brown (18 points).