BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Marshall advanced to the Conference USA quarterfinals with relative ease by defeating Florida Atlantic 89-74 in opening-round action Wednesday night.
Senior guard Stevie Browning led the way with 22 points and five assists. The Logan native went 7-of-15 from the floor, with five 3-pointers.
Browning’s early flurry of three 3s within 90 seconds sparked Marshall’s initial run and led to a 52-29 halftime cushion.
“When we play the style of game we play, you have to stay after it,” Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni said. “A 20-point lead, I’ve seen go in no time.”
Florida Atlantic (10-20) went on a run midway through the second half to close the gap, but could never push the deficit inside of 14 points. The Owls were led by guards Justin Massey and Nick Rutherford with 19 and 14 points, respectively.
Marshall (18-14) had four other players score in double figures, including seniors Ryan Taylor and Austin Loop. First-team all-conference guard Jon Elmore added 14.
The Herd also led the Owls in free-throw shooting, rebounds and assists.
Marshall, a 6 seed in the Conference USA tournament will take on 3 seed Old Dominion Thursday night in the quarterfinals. The teams split their two regular season meetings.
“Two different styles,” D’Antoni said. “They’re more of a grind team. We’re more of a flash team. It’s going to be a heck of a game.”
Tip off is scheduled for 9 Eastern Thursday.