HARRISONBURG, Va. (Interstat) — Ashanti Barnes recorded a double-double with 29 points and 11 rebounds to lead James Madison to a 74-61 victory over Liberty in a non-conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at a raucous JMU Convocation Center.

The Dukes improved to 3-1 on the young season, while the Lady Flames fell to 2-1.

In a game defined by dramatic shifts in momentum, James Madison used a dominant fourth-quarter performance to pull away. The contest was a tight, back-and-forth affair through the first 30 minutes, with the score tied at 40 after a high-scoring first quarter and Liberty holding a 37-27 lead at halftime.

The Lady Flames’ advantage was built in the second quarter, where they outscored the Dukes 17-7. However, James Madison responded after the break, matching Liberty’s 13 points in the third quarter to set the stage for the final period.

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the home team. James Madison erupted for 27 points while holding Liberty to just 11, turning a competitive game into a comfortable double-digit win. The Dukes’ offensive efficiency was a key factor, as they scored 74 points on 76 possessions for an offensive rating of 97.0. Liberty, by contrast, managed an offensive rating of just 81.2, scoring 61 points on 75 possessions.

Barnes, a 6-foot-2 forward from Norfolk, Virginia, was the engine for James Madison, playing 36 minutes and shooting 13 of 23 from the floor. She was complemented by Peyton McDaniel, who added 16 points.

Liberty’s offense was led by Avery Mills and Emmy Stout, who each scored 16 points. Stout just missed a double-double, pulling down eight rebounds. Ify Nwaobi was a force on the glass for the Lady Flames, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds to go with eight points.

While the rebounding battle was narrowly won by Liberty, who collected 13 offensive boards to James Madison’s six, the game was ultimately decided by ball security and defensive pressure. The Dukes forced 20 Liberty turnovers, converting them into numerous transition opportunities. James Madison committed only nine turnovers of their own.

The Dukes also showcased superior ball movement, dishing out 12 assists compared to Liberty’s four. Zakiya Stephenson was the primary facilitator for James Madison, handing out eight assists to go with eight points and three steals. Defensively, James Madison was disruptive, tallying 12 steals and five blocks, with Brianna McLeod swatting four shots.

Liberty struggled from the field, shooting 37.7 percent on 23-of-61 shooting. James Madison was more efficient, connecting on 42.9 percent of its attempts, going 30 of 70.

The announced attendance was 1,971. James Madison’s next game is at home against Villanova on Sunday. Liberty returns to action Sunday, hosting Duke.