Listen Now: Morning News

Herd exacts revenge on Southern Miss

Marshall sent its three seniors out in winning fashion, defeating Southern Miss 88-84 in the final home game of the season.

The Herd (13-17, 6-9 Conference USA) avenged a 56-point loss to Southern Miss (22-8, 11-4) earlier this season in Hattiesburg.

“This is obviously a terrific win for our club for those three seniors, for them to go out with a win,” Marshall coach Tom Herrion said. “I thought that was a great college basketball game.”

“Honestly, this is a great win,” Marshall senior Nigel Spikes said. “They got the best of us on the road, and there’s no better way to get them back in our house on senior night. I told you all we could play.”

The Golden Eagles shot 52 percent from the field, but the Herd offense was even more efficient, shooting 55 percent. Marshall also shot 50 percent from beyond the 3-point line (10-of-20) and shared the ball well, recording 20 assists on 27 baskets.

“Southern Miss is a really, really good team, but we played at a really high level tonight,” Herrion said. “I thought offensively we were as good as we’ve been all year.”

Marshall used multiple defensive looks to keep the Southern Miss’ explosive offense on its heels, but none were more effective than the Herd’s 1-3-1 zone defense.

The Thundering Herd defense used its zone defense to force 15 turnovers, which it converted into 18 points.

“I thought we mixed our defenses really well. The zone was really good to us,” Herrion said.

Southern Miss senior Dwayne Davis recorded a career-high 35 points.

Marshall received points from all nine players that saw the floor and was led by Elijah Pittman who scored 22, just two points from a career high.

On senior night, Marshall freshman Tamron Manning came off the bench to triple his previous career high and score 12 points. He also dished out four assists.

“I was just trying to get into the open gaps as much as possible, and then knock the open shots when I got them,” Manning said.

The Herd will head to Greenville, N.C., to take on East Carolina before entering the conference tournament in Tulsa.

— Jarrod Clay





More Marshall Sports

Marshall Sports
Commentary: Final 40 minutes don't tell the story of Marshall's season
The Herd lost by 43 points in its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 27 years, but a 26-7 campaign could help be a springboard for future success.
March 26, 2024 - 4:15 pm
Marshall Sports
Jackson replaces D'Antoni as Marshall basketball coach
Dan D'Antoni is out after a 10-year stint guiding the Marshall men's basketball program. Cornelius Jackson, former associate head coach and a native of Oak Hill, takes over.
March 25, 2024 - 8:25 pm
Marshall Sports
Six home games, trips to Virginia Tech and Ohio State highlight Herd's 2024 schedule
Marshall opens the season August 31 by welcoming Stony Brook.
March 25, 2024 - 2:35 pm
Marshall Sports
Marshall no match for Hokies in 92-49 season-ending loss
Thundering Herd suffer lopsided setback in first NCAA Tournament showing since 1997.
March 22, 2024 - 7:33 pm


Your Comments