DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In a competitive matchup on Saturday, James Madison secured a 71-65 victory over Jacksonville State, thanks in large part to Xavier Brown’s impressive performance, where he tallied 18 points.

Brown also made a significant impact on defense, contributing four steals for the Dukes, who improved their season record to 4-3. Elijah Hutchins-Everett supported the team with 17 points, connecting on 8 of 15 attempts from the field, including 1 of 3 from beyond the arc, and adding six rebounds. Mark Freeman rounded out the scoring for James Madison with 16 points, shooting 6 for 10 overall with 2 for 3 from three-point range, alongside a 2 for 3 performance at the free-throw line.

For the Gamecocks, Jaron Pierre Jr. emerged as a standout player, scoring 24 points while also dishing out seven assists and making two steals. Mason Nicholson contributed significantly as well, adding 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds to aid Jacksonville State’s efforts.

James Madison took control in the first half, entering halftime with a 40-29 advantage. Brown played a pivotal role, scoring 14 of his points before the break. The Dukes further extended their lead in the second half, embarking on a 7-0 run that elevated their advantage to 12 points at 52-40.