HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall struggled on the boards, failing to haul in a single offensive rebound in the second half as No. 25 Old Dominion rolled to a 72-51 victory.
“We struggled to get the ball inside,” said Herd coach Dan D’Antoni, whose team has lost 11 of its last 12 games. “They were too quick for us.”
The win was the 10th straight for ODU, while Marshall dropped its fifth consecutive game and has now lost 11 of its last 12.
Marshall trailed by 10 points at halftime, despite forcing 13 turnovers. The Herd shot just 31 percent from the field in the first half.
ODU went on a 19-7 run to start the half and never looked back.
“It’s been tough,” said sophomore guard Austin Loop. “Like it has been said, at times we’re really good. Then, we have our downfalls like the beginning of the second half. I don’t know what the run (was) exactly, but we were down 10 and then it went to 18. We’ve just got to find and sustain effort. Not just effort, but taking care of the ball and making plays.”
Loop hit five 3-pointers to lead Marshall with 15 points. Ryan Taylor and Jay Johnson added 13 points each. Taylor scored nine of Marshall’s first 11 points of the game then was held scoreless for almost 29 minutes.
Old Dominion had three in double figures, led by center Jonathan Arledge’s 13 points. Guards Trey Freeman and Jordan Baker chipped in with 11.
The Monarchs had a 36-26 advantage on the boards to go with 10 steals, providing ODU extended possessions. The visitors also had a 30-6 advantage in scoring in the paint.
Marshall stays home for a 7 p.m. tip-off Saturday at the Henderson Center against Charlotte.