HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) (Feb. 19) - Andre McCullum led ODU with 16 points and Freddie Bryant added 12, but JMU held on for the 61-59 win.
Rod Strickland made two free throws with 29 seconds left and added a crucial late rebound as James Madison held onto at least a share of first place in the Colonial Athletic Association.
The Dukes (17-7, 11-3 CAA) started the day tied with George Mason for first in the CAA and guaranteed staying on top with their 17th consecutive home victory and 12th in a row in the league. The Patriots played at North Carolina-Wilmington at night.
Michael Williams had an open look at a potential game-winning 3-pointer from the left wing as time expired, but his shot was short for the Monarchs (11-17, 6-9).
Strickland, a sub-50 percent free throw shooter, gave the Dukes a 59-58 lead when he made two from the line with :29 left. Then, after a Monarchs turnover and a foul on Jabari Outtz, he rebounded Outtz's miss on the second shot and was fouled again.
Strickland missed the last attempt, only his second miss in eight attempts from the line in the game, setting up Williams' chance at the game-winner for Old Dominion.
Outtz led the Dukes with 17 points, Mickey Dennis had 16 and Strickland had 12 points and 11 rebounds.