HARRISONBURG, Va. (Interstat) — A dominant fourth-quarter surge propelled the James Madison Dukes to a 74-61 victory over the Liberty Lady Flames in a non-conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at a raucous JMU Convocation Center.

In a game defined by dramatic momentum shifts, the Dukes erased a 10-point halftime deficit by outscoring the Lady Flames 47-24 in the second half, including a decisive 27-point explosion in the final period. The win improved James Madison’s record to 3-1 on the young season, while Liberty fell to 2-1.

The contest was a tale of two halves, with Liberty controlling the opening 20 minutes and James Madison seizing command after the break. The Lady Flames started strong, with Avery Mills and Emmy Stout combining for early scores to help Liberty build a 20-20 tie after a fast-paced first quarter. The second quarter belonged entirely to the visitors, as their defense clamped down, holding the Dukes to just seven points. Liberty took a 37-27 lead into halftime, capitalizing on a 17-7 quarter.

However, the complexion of the game changed entirely after halftime. James Madison emerged from the locker room with renewed energy, matching Liberty’s third-quarter output of 13 points to chip away at the lead and set the stage for the final frame.

The fourth quarter was a masterclass in execution by the Dukes. They opened the period on a 14-2 run, swiftly turning a narrow deficit into a commanding lead they would not relinquish. James Madison’s offense operated with precision, while their defensive pressure forced Liberty into a series of costly mistakes.

The catalyst for the Dukes was Ashanti Barnes, a 6-foot-2 forward from Norfolk, Virginia. Barnes delivered a powerhouse performance, scoring a game-high 29 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for a double-double. Her efficiency and interior scoring were pivotal, especially during James Madison’s game-changing runs.

Barnes was not alone in her efforts. Point guard Zakiya Stephenson, standing just 5-foot-4 from Virginia Beach, Virginia, orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out eight assists while also contributing to a stifling defensive effort that generated 12 team steals. Peyton McDaniel provided crucial secondary scoring, adding 16 points, and Bree Robinson chipped in 11.

Defense was the cornerstone of the James Madison victory. The Dukes forced Liberty into 20 turnovers, converting those mistakes into easy transition opportunities. They also tallied 12 steals and five blocks, with Brianna McLeod swatting four shots. James Madison shared the ball effectively, finishing with 12 assists on 30 made field goals and committing only nine turnovers of their own.

For Liberty, the offensive struggles in the second half proved insurmountable. After shooting relatively well in the first half, the Lady Flames managed just 24 points after the break. Mills, a guard from Lynchburg, Virginia, led the team with 16 points. Stout, from San Diego, also scored 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Ify Nwaobi of Calgary, Canada, was a force on the glass, collecting a game-high 13 rebounds to go with eight points.

Despite winning the rebounding battle, particularly on the offensive glass with 13 boards, Liberty could not overcome its offensive inefficiency. The Lady Flames shot just 37.7 percent from the floor and were hampered by their 20 turnovers and a mere four assists for the game.

The announced attendance of 1,971 watched as James Madison successfully defended its home court, bouncing back from its first loss of the season with a statement victory. The Dukes’ ability to flip a switch in the second half, powered by Barnes’ inside dominance and a relentless defensive identity, was the defining story of the night.

Liberty will look to regroup on Sunday when it hosts Duke. James Madison, meanwhile, continues a challenging early-season slate, also playing Sunday at home against Villanova.