For the first time in 21 years, the James Madison women's basketball team can be called CAA champions.

The Dukes beat rival and top-seeded Old Dominion 67-53 Sunday on their home floor to claim its first conference championship since the 1988-89 season, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The Dukes used a 14-3 run to start the game and the Monarchs never recovered.

Dawn Evans, who was named tournament MVP, led three Dukes in double figures with a game-high 25 points. Lauren Jimenez finished with 13, and Tarik Hislop added 11.

JMU won for the eighth straight time, setting its longest winning streak of the season.

Senior Sarah Williams hoisted the championship trophy for the Dukes, in front of the largest crowd the CAA title game has seen in at least ten years.