Beyers, Williams step up to lead Marshall past UTEP, 71-61

— by David Walsh

EL PASO, Texas — Mikel Beyers came to Marshall University’s rescue again.

The 6-foot-9 Beyers entered the game against UTEP when Thundering Herd big man Iran Bennett got in early foul trouble and fellow big man Goran Miladinovic labored some after missing the last three with an ankle injury.

Beyers led Marshall with 18 points and the Thundering Herd knocked off the Miners, 71-61, Saturday afternoon in front of 4,424 fans at Don Haskins Center. Beyers did much of his damage from three-point range, making 4-of-6.

He had a season-high 24 points on Feb. 8 in an overtime win against Louisiana Tech at home.

This was Marshall’s final game in the first portion of Conference USA play. The Herd (13-14, 7-7 C-USA) enters bonus play in Pod No. 2. Also in that pod are Old Dominion, FAU, UTSA and UAB. The Herd’s final four games will be announced Sunday when the league confirms the bonus play schedule.

Marshall made 12 threes, one off its season high. Jansson Williams, also with four baskets from behind the arc, added 14 points and Taevion Kinsey 12. The Herd also hit 9-of-12 foul shots and led in rebounds, 41-40, despite Bennett, Beyers, Williams and Darius George each finishing with four fouls.

The Herd had a whopping 31-3 edge in bench points.

“That’s what I thought they could prove to us all year long,” Herd coach Dan D’Antoni said of Beyers and Williams. “If Mikel and Jansson do that we have a great chance going down into the tournament.” 

Marshall also got solid backup play another fellow big man Miladinovic. He had eight points and five rebounds.

“Goran gave us good minutes,” D’Antoni said. “We have a smaller, faster lineup. Get production out of Mikey and Jansson like that, got my fingers crossed. I know they will.”

Marshall bounced back strong after a dismal second-half shooting performance in a 72-63 loss Thursday night at UTSA. The Herd made just one of its first 21 shots from the field in the second half. 

D’Antoni did not make it to the postgame radio show Thursday.

“Kind of missed the show,” D’Antoni said. “Had some locker room dirty I had to clean up when it was over. That’s why we have great kids. Some (people) worry about losing them. Not this group.”

Marshall enters bonus play with a similar record to a year ago. However, that team had senior guards Jon Elmore and C.J. Burks.

“We lost three guards, one of the best combinations in West Virginia,” D’Antoni said. “We lost that type of production and to stay where we are I’m happy. We can do some damage.”

Marshall led 36-26 at halftime and kept the upper hand the final 20 minutes despite all the fouls.

Bennett picked two fouls in the first three minutes of the game. Beyers entered the game for Williams with 14:53 left in the first half. He got the first of his treys with 9:05 remaining in the half. Williams had two of the team’s four blocked shots.

Bryson Williams, one of four transfer starters for UTEP, led the Miners with a game-high 23 points. Daryl Edwards contributed 14 points and Souley Boum 12.

C-USA’s Pod No. 1 has league leader North Texas, Western Kentucky, Louisiana Tech, FIU and Charlotte.

Pod No. 3 has UTEP, Southern Miss, Rice and Middle Tennessee.





More Marshall Sports

Marshall Sports
Integrating new players, coaches a focus for Herd at start of spring practice
Head coach Charles Huff says learning who his team is a critical component of spring football.
March 28, 2024 - 8:47 am
Marshall Sports
Commentary: Final 40 minutes don't tell the story of Marshall's season
The Herd lost by 43 points in its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 27 years, but a 26-7 campaign could help be a springboard for future success.
March 26, 2024 - 4:15 pm
Marshall Sports
Jackson replaces D'Antoni as Marshall basketball coach
Dan D'Antoni is out after a 10-year stint guiding the Marshall men's basketball program. Cornelius Jackson, former associate head coach and a native of Oak Hill, takes over.
March 25, 2024 - 8:25 pm
Marshall Sports
Six home games, trips to Virginia Tech and Ohio State highlight Herd's 2024 schedule
Marshall opens the season August 31 by welcoming Stony Brook.
March 25, 2024 - 2:35 pm