GAME THREAD: FAU @ James Madison - January 5, 2021

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FAU Heads to Virginia for Fourth Ever Meeting with JMU

What: Florida Atlantic (5-3) vs. James Madison (3-4)

When: Tuesday, January 5, @ 4 PM Eastern

Where: Atlantic Union Bank Center

Series: The Dukes are undefeated in three total matchups against the Owls.

JMU Team Site: Here

TV: None

Stream: FloSports *Subscription Required

Radio: FoxSports 640

Live Stats: Here

JMU at a Glance:

Offense - 77.9 PPG, 45% FG, 31.8% 3PT

Defense - 69.6 PPGA, 41.1% FGA, 29.5% 3PTA

Rebounding - 38.3 RPG Dukes, 37.3 RPG Opponents

Notables

First year JMU Head Coach Mark Byington has moved on from a seven-year tenure at Georgia Southern in hopes to return the Dukes to the upper echelon of the CAA.

The Dukes last made the NCAA Tournament in 2013 before winning the CAA Regular Season title in 2015. The program has not been to a post-season tournament since.

Last time out, JMU was upended for the second time in as many games. Their 80-73 loss to Morgan State was their third straight when playing Division I opponents.

Guard Matt Lewis netted a game high 21 points in the loss. The senior from Virginia is ranked No. 28 nationally with a stellar 21.1 PPG. Lewis is also the team's top rebounder, averaging 5.6 RPG.

FAU at a Glance:

Offense - 86.8 PPG, 48.3% FG, 39.9% 3PT

Defense - 63.6 PPGA, 41.2% FGA, 36.4% 3PTA

Rebounding - 41.6 RPG Owls, 32.8 RPG Opponents

Notables

Previously scheduled to face the Florida Gators in Gainesville on December 19, the Owls were forced to scramble to find a new opponent as UF cancelled the contest following the emotional wake from forward Keyontae Johnson's horrific collapse the week before.

Florida College, an NAIA program from a Tampa suburb, answered the Owls' call. The Falcons traveled to Boca for a late afternoon tip the following Monday, in which the Owls came away victorious with a 107-72 thumping.

In the win, senior forward Jailyn Ingram owned a game-high 26 points and 5 3-pointers. Not far behind with 16 points is sophomore guard BJ Greenlee, who recorded his fifth straight double-digit outing.

Their performances in the win over Florida College came as no surprise as Ingram and Greenlee are first and second in scoring for the team. They average 14.9 and 12.1 PPG, respectively. Forward Karlis Silins and guard Michael Forrest are tied for third with 9.5 PPG. Ingram is also the team leader in rebounds with 5.8 per game.

As a team, the Owls continue to dominate along the offensive glass with 14.6 ORPG. This ranks second in Conference USA and 13th in the nation.

After the game against Florida College, FAU saw their C-USA opening series against Middle Tennessee called off due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Blue Raider program. As a result, this game against JMU was hastily scheduled as home-and-home series with the Dukes' eventual visit to Boca Raton still to be announced.

Following the contest, the Owls will remain in Virginia to face an reloaded Old Dominion program in Norfolk on Friday.

Latest Line: FAU +1