— By David Walsh
MIAMI, Fla. — This time Marshall University did the pulling away for a victory.
The Thundering Herd, down 39-38 at half after leading by 14 points at one point, steadily separated themselves Thursday from Florida International in the second half and beat the Panthers, 84-74.
It’s the first loss for FIU at the Ocean Bank Convocation Arena this season (9-1). It also ended the 14-game home win streak for the Panthers.
Marshall got solid play underneath the basket from 6-foot-9 Iran Bennett, as well as Taevion Kinsey and guards Andew Taylor and Jarrod West, who handled the FIU pressure defense.
West nailed a three-point jumper with 15:16 to play to give the Herd the lead for good at 52-50.
Kinsey scored after a Bennett steal to give the Herd a 79-66 lead with 4:05 to play. Bennett then slammed home two with 1:09 left and Marshall’s lead was 82-68.
The Herd (10-12, 4-5 Conference USA) ended a two-game skid and had lost four of five.
Marshall shot 34-of-67 from the field, but only made 5-of-23 from behind the arc.
“It’s been a while coming,” Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni said. “Iran really dominated inside. Jarrod, Taevion and Andrew all did their jobs. (Marko) Sarenac finished it. We’ve still got to shoot the threes better. We’re not shooting like we’re capable. Do that and we can be a big part of the (Conference USA) tournament.”
Kinsey caught fire from the floor late and shared game-high scoring honors with Bennett. Each had 18 points. Kinsey also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.
Taylor finished with 14 points, West 13 despite an off shooting night and Sarenac 12.
West totaled eight assists and Taylor five as well.
Trejon Jacobs led the Panthers (14-8, 5-4 C-USA) with a game-high 23 points. Antonio Daye Jr., Osasumwen Osaghae and Devon Andrews hit for 13 each. Osaghae grabbed 11 rebounds to give him a double-double. He blocked three shots to bring his season total to 92.
FIU had one more block to bring its season total to 151. Both those numbers are tops in the country.
In the first half, the Herd opened a 21-7 lead on a score by Darius George with 13:04 left. The Panthers had their way from that point to lead 39-38 at the break.
On defense, the Herd limited FIU to 26-of-68 for 38 percent.
Despite the pressure defense, the Herd had just 12 turnovers.
“We had a lull,” D’Antoni said. “George has to get going, Jannson’s trying to get there. We need everybody playing well. (Jannson) has to understand his role is a little different from the past. We still need him to knock down the 3s. We have three good guards and against a pressure defense, it’s not as effective for the other team.
“I’m glad we feel a little bit of success. You never know when we’re going to show up.”
Marshall’s next game is 4 p.m. Saturday against Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton. The Owls knocked off Western Kentucky on Thursday night, 69-65.