— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — The Marshall University men’s basketball team proved dominant again in exhibition play, toppling the University of Rio Grande, 92-59, Saturday at Cam Henderson Center.
“Better job overall,” junior guard Jarrod West said. “Everybody played hard and contributed in their own way.”
Marshall posted a 2-0 exhibition mark after knocking off Glenville State, 100-66, on Tuesday. The Thundering Herd opens the regular season Thursday at home against Robert Morris. Tip at the Cam is set for 7 p.m.
Marshall led 45-23 at the break and continued to rule in the second half against the NAIA school. Everybody on the Herd roster saw action.
Mikel Beyers led the Herd with 15 points and tied teammate Darius George for rebounding honors with six each. Taevion Kinsey added 14 points and Jannson Williams 10 for the Herd.
“The first game (Glenville State) was frantic, chaotic,” West said. “We had a better flow today. The chemistry will continue to grow.”
Gunner Short scored 11 points to lead the Rio Grande attack.
One big difference again was points in the point as the Herd enjoyed a 58-22 edge.
“This is more the type we’ll play going foward,” Marshall coach Dan D’Antoni said. “Our size mattered. He (Rio coach Ken French) helped us. Hopefully we helped him.”