— By David Walsh
AKRON, Ohio — Performance on the glass has been a cause for concern this season for Marshall University men’s basketball coach Dan D’Antoni. Saturday, the shoe was on the other foot as Akron coach John Groce lamented his team’s play on the boards.
The Thundering Herd enjoyed a 38-29 edge in rebounds and that statistic contributed greatly to Marshall edging the Zips, 75-74, at James A Rhodes Arena. It’s just the second time this season the Herd has outrebounded an opponent.
“That’s the game,” Groce told Akron Beacon Journal sports reporter Michael Beaven after the game. “The game came down to rebounding. Point blank, we lost today because of Marshall’s outstanding offensive rebounding effort and our poor blockouts.”
Jon Elmore’s three-pointer with 2:25 left put Marshall ahead by six points, then the Thundering Herd held off an Akron rally from that point on. Daniel Utomi made a layup with 2:12 to play and a 3-pointer at 1:30 to trim the Herd’s lead to 75-74, but the Zips got no closer as three shots in the final eight seconds were off the mark.
Loren Crist Jackson missed a jumper with four seconds left, Jamond Ivey got the rebound and missed his shot with a second to go. The home team got another rebound and called a timeout. Jackson got the call for a three-point try just before the buzzer, but the shot missed and the Thundering Herd secured its first road win of the season.
“I thought I was looking at the Toledo again,” D’Antoni said, recalling how the Rockets got a last-second three-pointer in regulation for force overtime. “We got a little more pressure and he was falling away from the shot. This was a tough win. It’s very difficult, especially here. They’re a very athletic team. I’m happy for our kids. We grinded it out.”
Elmore led Marshall (7-4) with 19 points and running mate C.J. Burks added 14. Freshman Taevion Kinsey came off the bench to contribute 10 points. For Elmore, this was the 100th time he reached double figures for his career.
Jackson netted 26 points to lead Akron (6-4). Utomi hit for 18 and Tyler Cheese added 14. Both teams excelled at the foul line. Marshall went 9-for-9 and the Zips made 11 of 12.
For D’Antoni, who is in his fifth season, this was win No. 80 for his career. The win reduces Akron series lead to 14-13. This was Marshall’s first win at Akron since March 1, 2001.
This was the first game on a five-game road trip for Marshall. The Herd’s next game is Dec. 22 against SEC power Texas A&M at 2 p.m. in College Station, Texas. On Dec. 31, Marshall visits ACC power Virginia with a 1 p.m. start in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Marshall will then open Conference USA play with a Jan. 3 date at Old Dominion and Jan. 5 visit to Charlotte. Old Dominion won at Syracuse on Saturday, 68-62.