Southern Miss Edges James Madison in Thrilling Finish
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Pensacola Bay Center
Southern Miss Golden Eagles 86, James Madison Dukes 80, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won James Madison Dukes vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles?
Southern Miss Golden Eagles beat James Madison Dukes 86-80 at Pensacola Bay Center on March 5, 2026.
Who was favored in James Madison Dukes vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles?
James Madison Dukes were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -135 (about 57% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles triumphed over the James Madison Dukes with a final score of 86-80. This game, held at the Pensacola Bay Center, was significant as it showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, each vying for momentum as the season nears its conclusion.
Southern Miss entered the game with a record of 17-15, while James Madison had a slightly better record of 18-15. The Golden Eagles had been performing evenly in their last ten games, posting a record of 5-5, with a recent streak of one win. They averaged 73.1 points scored and allowed 74.0 points during this stretch. In their last five games, Southern Miss managed to score an average of 77.0 points while allowing 74.8 points, indicating a slight uptick in offensive performance.
On the other hand, James Madison had a stronger recent form, going 7-3 in their last ten games, with a current winning streak of one. The Dukes averaged 73.3 points scored and allowed 68.2 points in that same span. Their last five games saw them scoring an average of 76.8 points and allowing 67.4, showcasing a solid defensive effort.
When considering home and away performances, Southern Miss had a home record of 4-2 in their last six games, while James Madison posted a 2-1 record in their away games. This matchup was particularly notable as it was the third meeting between the two teams in the current season, with Southern Miss winning the previous encounter 73-65 on January 31, 2026.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this important game. The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had James Madison favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 143.5. The odds for the moneyline were +114 for Southern Miss and -135 for James Madison, reflecting a close contest expected by the bookmakers.
The game conditions were conducive for a high-paced matchup, with both teams looking to establish their offensive rhythm early. Notably, the scoring plays in the second half highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the contest. Key moments included Israel Hart making crucial free throws, and Kose Egbule hitting a significant three-pointer that kept the game tight. As the contest progressed, the tension mounted, with both teams exchanging leads and showcasing their offensive talents.
As the final moments unfolded, Southern Miss managed to maintain their composure, ultimately sealing the victory with a series of free throws and effective ball control. The Golden Eagles' ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the clutch proved decisive. The win not only boosts Southern Miss's confidence but also adds to their head-to-head record against James Madison, now standing at 2-1 for the season.
This game serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of college basketball, where every game can have significant implications for postseason positioning and team morale.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | JMU -2.5 | 143.5 o -115 / u -105 | James Madison Dukes -135 · Southern Miss Golden Eagles +114 |
Leaders
- PointsTylik Weeks31Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- AssistsDylan Brumfield4Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- ReboundsIsaac Taveras8Southern Miss Golden Eagles
- PointsCliff Davis19James Madison Dukes
- AssistsJustin McBride4James Madison Dukes
- ReboundsJustin McBride7James Madison Dukes
Recent form
Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Last 10: 5-5Streak W173.1 scored · 74 allowed per game4-2 at home
- W68-55at South Alabama JaguarsFeb 28
- L84-89at Arkansas State Red WolvesFeb 25
- W86-81vs Old Dominion MonarchsFeb 21
- W69-65vs Troy TrojansFeb 15
- L78-84vs South Alabama JaguarsFeb 13
- W66-65vs Kent State Golden FlashesFeb 7
- L77-81at Marshall Thundering HerdFeb 5
- W73-65vs James Madison DukesJan 31
- L63-70vs App State MountaineersJan 30
- L67-85at Coastal Carolina ChanticleersJan 24
James Madison Dukes
Last 10: 7-3Streak W173.3 scored · 68.2 allowed per game2-1 away
- W87-72vs Louisiana Ragin' CajunsMar 4
- L68-69vs Coastal Carolina ChanticleersFeb 28
- W82-66vs Georgia Southern EaglesFeb 26
- W80-65at Georgia State PanthersFeb 21
- W67-65at Coastal Carolina ChanticleersFeb 19
- W69-58vs App State MountaineersFeb 14
- W81-79vs Georgia State PanthersFeb 13
- W73-71vs Toledo RocketsFeb 7
- L61-64vs Louisiana Ragin' CajunsFeb 5
- L65-73at Southern Miss Golden EaglesJan 31
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 22-12 | - | 12-6 |
| South Alabama | 21-12 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Arkansas State | 20-12 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Texas State | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Marshall | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| Coastal Carolina | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| App State | 19-13 | 1 | 11-7 |
| James Madison | 18-15 | 3 | 9-9 |
| Southern Miss | 19-16 | 3 | 9-9 |
| Georgia Southern | 21-16 | 4 | 8-10 |
| Old Dominion | 12-21 | 5 | 7-11 |
| Louisiana | 11-22 | 5 | 7-11 |
| Georgia State | 10-22 | 5 | 7-11 |
| UL Monroe | 4-28 | 11 | 1-17 |
Box score
| Stat | James Madison Dukes | Southern Miss Golden Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-58 | 27-60 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 4-16 | 4-11 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 36 |
| Free throws | 16-23 | 28-34 |
| Free throw % | 70 | 82 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 26 |
| Assists | 9 | 10 |
| Steals | 3 | 7 |
| Blocks | 5 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 5 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 6 | 16 |
| Points in the paint | 52 | 42 |
| Fouls | 23 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 6 | 13 |
| Lead changes | 14 | 14 |
| Time in front | 20 | 68 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half52-57Christian Brown makes layup (Bradley Douglas assists)
- 2nd Half52-60Curt Lewis makes 28-foot three point jumper (Chiante' Tramble assists)
- 2nd Half52-61Tylik Weeks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half52-62Tylik Weeks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-62Kose Egbule makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-64Tylik Weeks makes 10-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half56-64Eddie Ricks III makes 6-foot jumper (Kose Egbule assists)
- 2nd Half56-67Tylik Weeks makes 28-foot three point jumper (Dylan Brumfield assists)
- 2nd Half56-68Tylik Weeks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-69Tylik Weeks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-69Gabe Newhof makes 6-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half58-71Isaac Taveras makes 6-foot jumper
- 2nd Half59-71Cliff Davis makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-71Cliff Davis makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half60-72Tegra Izay makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-72Cliff Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half62-74Tylik Weeks makes 14-foot pullup jump shot (Dylan Brumfield assists)
- 2nd Half63-74Bradley Douglas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half64-74Bradley Douglas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-74Cliff Davis makes layup
- 2nd Half66-75Isaac Taveras makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-76Tylik Weeks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half66-77Tylik Weeks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-77Bradley Douglas makes driving layup
- 2nd Half68-78Tylik Weeks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-79Tylik Weeks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-79Bradley Douglas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-80Dylan Brumfield makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-81Dylan Brumfield makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-82Dylan Brumfield makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-82Christian Brown makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-82Christian Brown makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-83Israel Hart makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-84Israel Hart makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-84Kose Egbule makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half76-84Justin McBride makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half77-84Justin McBride makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half77-85Tylik Weeks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-86Tylik Weeks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-86Cliff Davis makes 26-foot three point jumper
Win probability
Above the line favours Southern Miss Golden Eagles, below favours James Madison Dukes.
Venue
- Pensacola Bay CenterPensacola, FL
- Attendance1081
- OfficialsSidney Cohen, Hunter Allen, Anthony Eades
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