— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall made strong runs over the final 10 minutes of each half and used the spurts to knock off Coppin State, 86-67, Saturday night in front of 3,625 fans at Cam Henderson Center.
Coppin State got even at 30-30 with a second-chance layup by Justin Winston with 5:23 on the clock. The Thundering Herd then outscored the Eagles 17-2 down the stretch for a 47-32 lead at the break.
Coppin State pulled within 10 at 58-48 on a jumper by Alex Rojas with 15:47 from there. That’s as close as the visitors would get.
Marshall (3-1) stretched the lead to 22 points on three occasions in the second half (81-59, 84-62 and 86-64).
Coppin State (3-3) had its win streak end at three.
Taevion Kinsey, who became the fourth player to reach 2,000 points in Herd history, led the way with 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Obinna Anochili-Killen had his first double-double for the Herd with 15 points and 11 rebounds. He made 7 of 10 shots.
Andy Taylor finished with 14. The Herd converted six of its final seven shots.
Sam Sessoms led Coppin State with 19 points. Mike Hood added 12 and Justin Winston 11.
“They’re a good ball club,” Herd coach Dan D’Antoni said. “They’re active and have older guys. I’m proud of our kids.”
D’Antoni was happy to see Anochili-Killen have his best game to date.
“Sometimes you get challenged and you rise to meet the occasion,” D’Antoni said. “I’m glad to see him have a good game. He needed that. It helps his confidence moving forward.”
For the game, Marshall led in points off turnovers, 19-6; rebounds, 49-33; points in the paint, (42-30) and assists (21-7).
“This team’s a little different,” D’Antoni said. “Length and quickness at all positions. They’re fit to do what they can do.”
Herd guard Kamdyn Curfman led in assists with five and Taylor racked up four along with four rebounds.
“They’re great rebounding guards,” D’Antoni said of Kinsey and Taylor.
The Herd’s back in action Monday against Chicago State. Tip is 7 p.m. at Henderson Center. It’s game three in a five-game homestand. Morehead State visits on Nov. 26, Akron on Nov. 30 and Ohio on Dec. 3.