Postseason WNIT | 4/3/2019 9:10:36 PM

NORTHWESTERN 74, JAMES MADISON 69

HARRISONBURG, VA -- After needing comeback efforts in its three previous victories, Northwestern instead jumped to an early lead Wednesday and made it stick, getting past James Madison to earn a spot on the 2019 Postseason WNIT championship game.

The Wildcats (21-14) will play either Arizona or TCU in the final, set for 3 p.m. ET Saturday, April 6, and televised by CBS Sports Network.

Northwestern had five players reach double figures in scoring -- Lindsey Pulliam had 16 points, Abi Scheid added 14 points, Veronica Burton and Jordan Hamilton tallied 12 points and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah scored 11 points to go with 11 rebounds.

Northwestern built in some breathing room in the fourth quarter, taking a 66-51 lead with 4:57 remaining on a shot from Abbie Wolf. JMU forced four turnovers in a four-minute span and got back within 68-61 with 1:45 to go; it was 70-66 after a 3-pointer from Jackie Benitez, but Pulliam hit two big free throws at :17 to make it 72-66.

Playing its fourth straight road game, the Wildcats came out scorching hot, taking a 19-5 lead at one point of the first quarter. But the next four field goals for JMU were 3-pointers, and the Dukes were back in it, 20-17, with 6:26 left before halftime. At the break, Northwestern held a 34-27 lead; JMU had committed 12 turnovers.

Northwestern made a push late in the third quarter, going on an 8-0 run over a span of 2:30, but JMU got a 3-pointer from Madison Green with three second left, cutting the Wildcats lead to 57-47.

James Madison (29-6) had 18 turnovers and shot 33 percent from the field. Benitez had 18 points, Kamiah Smalls scored 15 points and Aneah Young added 10 points. Kayla Cooper-Williams reeled in 15 rebounds; the Dukes led in rebounding overall, 45-33.