TOWSON, Md. – Junior guard Dominique Johnson scored a game-high 28 points but it was not enough as James Madison University claimed the 79-64 win over the Towson University women's basketball team on Thursday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. The Dukes (21-2, 12-0 CAA) jumped out to a 17-point halftime advantage and held off a second half rally by the Tigers in the Education Day matinee.

Johnson made six three-pointers in the game which gives her 142 for her career and moved her into third place on the career three-pointers list at Towson.

"We had too many missed opportunities," said Towson assistant coach Brian Johnson. "We got down early in the first half and outscored them in the second half. Those mistakes and missed opportunities in the first half came back to haunt us in the second half. Johnson's been doing a pretty good job for us the last couple of games."

James Madison jumped out to an early 8-0 lead but back-to-back three-pointers from senior guard Ciara Webb and freshman guard Breonn Hughey pulled the Tigers to within two. Three straight points by the Dukes pushed the visitors' lead to 11-6 with 16:25 to go in the first half. Nine straight points from the Tigers gave Towson a 15-11 lead with 12:38 showing on the clock. Johnson had five of the Tigers' nine during that run. James Madison used a 5-0 run to take a 16-15 lead with 11:55 left in the half. Senior forward Camille Alberson put the Tigers back on top 17-16 with her lay-up at 11:34. However, that was the Tigers' last lead of the game.

A lay-up from Lauren Okafor at 11:15 jumpstarted an 8-0 run by the Dukes which gave them a 24-17 advantage with 9:09 to go in the half. Angela Mickens scored the other six points during that stretch. Johnson briefly halted the run with a triple at 7:52 which made it a 24-20 game. James Madison scored 10 of the game's next 13 points and took a 34-23 lead with 5:28 left in the half. The two teams traded baskets as a jumper from redshirt senior forward LaTorri Hines-Allen at 4:06 cut the Tigers' deficit to 36-27. James Madison scored nine of the final 10 points in the half and took a 45-28 lead at the break.

James Madison shot 54.5% from the field in the first half and went 7-for-9 from the foul line. Towson was 35.5% from the field but made five three-pointers. The Dukes held a 19-17 edge in the rebounding battle. Johnson led all players with 13 points in the first 20 minutes of play.

Five straight points by the Dukes to open the second half pushed the James Madison lead to 50-28 with 17:11 to play. It was the Dukes' largest lead of the game. Towson used a 10-1 run to pull to within 13, 51-38 with 14:11 left in the game. Johnson had seven of the Tigers' 10 during that stretch. James Madison pushed its lead back to 17, 55-38 with 12:52 to play. A 9-3 run pulled the Tigers to within 11, 58-47 with 9:02 to play. Johnson tallied five of the Tigers' nine during that run. The two teams continued to battle as a jumper from Hughey at 5:53 made it a 65-54 game. James Madison pushed its lead back to 21, 77-56 on a pair of Mickens' free throws at 2:01. Towson scored eight of the final 10 points in the game which made it a 79-64 game. Hines-Allen had six of the Tigers' 10 during that final run.

James Madison shot 41.4% in the second half and 48.4% for the game. Towson shot 42.9% in the second stanza and 39% for the game. The Dukes finished the game with a 41-33 advantage in the rebounding battle.

Johnson added a rebound and an assist to go with her game-high points. Hines-Allen added 16 points and eight rebounds for the Tigers.

All five starters for James Madison scored in double figures. Mickens led the way with 15 points, 12 assists, six rebounds and two steals.

Towson is back in action when it hosts Drexel on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.

The 2015 CAA Women's Basketball Championship will be held March 12-15 at the Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md. Call 1-855-TU-TIGER for your tickets.