HUNTINGTON, W.Va— The Thundering Herd ran is record to 3-0 with a 87-65 win over West Virginia Tech Tuesday night.
Marshall used a 14-0 run five minutes into the game to take control of the ballgame 24-8. By halftime Marshall led 48-27 behind 13 first half points from Ryan Taylor. The Herd shot 45 percent from the floor and was 7-for-15 from three in the opening 20 minutes.
“Our defensive pressure, both half-court and full-court, sped them up a bit,” said Taylor. “We were able to make open shots on offense, as well as our free throws, but I think our defense helped us out a lot in the first half.”
The deficit was too much for WVU Tech to overcome in the second half depite Marshall going through some offensive lulls in the second half.
“We didn’t execute well in the second half. They were quick in transition, and we didn’t get back on transition defense. I think we got a bit lazy in the second half,” admitted Cheikh Sane, who had nine points and pulled down 16 rebounds.
The Herd finished the game shooting 43 percent from three for the game and 46 percent from the field. The Herd also outrebounded the Golden Bears 47-29.
Ryan Taylor tied a career high with 25 points and contributed eight rebounds, an assist and a block.
“The parts that we were playing well I was really, really proud. Learning to win every possession the entire game is going to be a learning process,” said coach Dan D’Antoni. “We don’t have that swagger yet of a veteran team that’s won games and knows how to put them away and just end them. But I liked our response when they cut down the lead, we built it back up.”
The competition gets significantly better Friday night when Marshall travels to No. 7 Louisville. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center. The game will be televised on ESPNU.