PENSACOLA, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by precision at the foul line and a dominant second-half surge, Southern Mississippi outlasted James Madison 86-80 in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball clash Thursday night at the UWF Field House.

The Golden Eagles, improving to 16-15 overall, leaned heavily on a 28-for-34 performance from the free throw line and a decisive 51-point second half to overcome a narrow halftime deficit and secure the victory. The Dukes, who fell to 18-15, were hampered by 10 turnovers and an inability to contain Southern Miss star Tylik Weeks down the stretch.

The contest was a tale of two halves, with James Madison holding a slim 33-35 edge at the break. The Dukes’ offense was efficient inside, finishing with 52 points in the paint, led by Cliff Davis with 19 points and Bradley Douglas with 18. Southern Mississippi, however, stayed within striking distance by converting its opportunities at the charity stripe, a theme that would become decisive.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the final minutes of the second half as Southern Mississippi methodically seized control. With the score tight and the outcome in the balance, the Golden Eagles executed a nearly flawless closing stretch built on defensive stops and clutch free throws. The Dukes, who shot just 4 of 16 from three-point range for the game, could not find an answering run.

Tylik Weeks was the catalyst for Southern Miss, pouring in 31 points, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line in the second half alone. His ability to draw contact and convert at the line stifled any momentum James Madison tried to build. Weeks added three assists and was central to an offense that posted an efficient 119.2 rating on 72 possessions.

Isaac Taveras provided crucial support for the Golden Eagles with 17 points, while Djahi Binet added 11 points and two blocks. Southern Mississippi’s defense was also key, forcing 10 James Madison turnovers and converting them into 12 points, while also holding a 16-6 advantage in fastbreak points.

For James Madison, Davis’s 19 points and Douglas’s 18 led the way. Gabe Newhof contributed 11 points off the bench, and Christian Brown was a defensive force with four blocks. The Dukes shot a respectable 51.7% from the field but were ultimately undone by a 16-for-23 showing at the foul line and a lack of perimeter shooting.

The game’s statistical profile highlighted the contrasting styles. Both teams had an identical 72 possessions, but Southern Mississippi’s superior efficiency, particularly from the line and in taking care of the ball with only five turnovers, proved the difference. James Madison’s seven offensive rebounds and five blocks kept them competitive, but they could not overcome the Golden Eagles’ disciplined late-game execution.

The victory gave Southern Mississippi a regular-season sweep of the Dukes, having also won the previous meeting 73-65 on Jan. 31 in Hattiesburg. The game was part of the Sun Belt Conference schedule and drew an attendance of 1,081.

James Madison entered the contest as a slight pregame favorite, but Southern Mississippi’s performance at the free throw line and Weeks’s standout effort flipped the script, sending the Dukes to their 15th loss of the season as both teams look ahead to their conference tournament prospects.