Marshall Basketball Recap: Herd rallies past Bobcats

Marshall records second straight impressive non-conference win

CUSA-fans.com has a new staff of team correspondents this season to help bring you, the fan, more detailed Conference USA sports coverage. Today, our new Marshall Correspondent Paul Wood brings the latest update on the Marshall Thundering Herd basketball team.

Tre Whitted scored 19 second half points, including 17 over a four-minute stretch to lead the Herd to a 70-60 victory over Ohio University at the Cam Henderson Center on Wednesday night in Huntington, WV. Whitted’s hot hand went 5-6 from behind the 3-point line during the improbable four-minute stretch.

Marshall trailed 35-23 at the half and was unable to mount much offense prior to the 32-10 run in the second half. The Herd did not get any bench support for the first 27 minutes of the game. Whitted scored the first points off of the bench, which sparked the run, with 13 minutes left in the game. For the game, the Herd finished with 30 bench points.

Marshall trailed by as many as 14 (43-29) in the second half, but used a very effective press to create turnovers and give the Herd some scoring opportunities. Guard Darryl Merthie added eight points off of the bench to support Whitted’s scoring flurry.

Marshall ’s big men, Robbie Jackson and Jean Fransios Bro-Grebe, got into early foul trouble forcing them to the bench in the first half. Markel Humphrey picked up some of the slack, scoring 11 of his 15 points in the first half.

Humphrey also contributed a team-high nine rebounds. Guards Chris Ross and Mark Dorris added six assists each.

The Bobcats (9-4) were led by Bubba Walter’s 18-point effort. Jerome Tillman added 16 points, as the only other Bobcat in double digits. Leon Williams crashed the boards for a game high 13 rebounds. Ohio only managed eight points from their bench.

Despite the victory, Marshall coach Ron Jirsa was not happy with the Herd’s abysmal free throw shooting. The Herd hit only 1-of-9 from the charity stripe in the first half and finished 11-26 (42%) for the game. The Herd will likely spend several hours on the free throw line this week in practice.

Marshall looks to improve its 5-8 record with a trip to George Washington this Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.