— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall didn’t have its best night on the offensive end.
The Herd made up for it with a strong defensive effort, holding Akron to a season-low in points allowed to scrap past the Zips, 68-57, Wednesday night in front of 4,012 fans at Cam Henderson Center.
The previous low was 59 in a 24-point win over Morehead State at home on November 26.
“We have that type of team,” Herd coach Dan D’Antoni said in a postgame radio interview. “Long, athletic. They play hard, they listen. Got some things to clean up. We’re a work in progress.”
Marshall came in averaging 86-plus points a game. The Herd, playing at a more deliberate pace, limited the Zips to 24-of-71 (34 percent) shooting, 5-of-25 on 3-pointers and the visitors made only 4-of-11 free throws. Xavier Castenada, the Mid-American Conference team’s leading scorer at 20 points a game, managed only four on 1-of-13 shooting.
Herd freshman Micah Handlogten, who goes 7-foot-1, made it tough on Akron’s Enrique Freeman. He did have a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds, but he made just 4-of-12 from the field. Handlogten totaled nine rebounds.
“That team was an NCAA [Tournament] team last year,” D’Antoni said. “Micah played [Freeman] hard on defense. Did a nice job. Guards on guards good, too.”
Marshall scored the first seven points of the game and made the Zips play from behind the rest of the way. Akron got within seven at 45-38 with 12:54 to play only to see the home team reel off 10 straight points to end that comeback threat. Another late drought by the Zips (1 of 11) and an 8-0 Herd spurt sent it to its sixth straight win and a 6-1 record.
Akron is 3-4. The Zips lead the all-time series, 16-14. However, the Herd has won 10 of the last 12 meetings.
Taylor and Taevion Kinsey sparked the Herd in the first half with 15 points each as the team took a 37-25 lead into the break. Kinsey finished with 21 points, Taylor 16 along with 10 rebounds for a double-double and Kamryn Curfman 15 on five triples. The Herd shot 25-of-61 (41 percent), 8-of-28 from deep (28 percent) and converted 10-of-15 free throws.
“In front the whole way,” D’Antoni said. “Taevion and Andy played really well, we talk about all they do. Be our leaders, we expect that from them and they showed it again tonight.”
Curfman continues to make strides in his first season at MU after transferring from VMI.
“Don’t leave that guy open,” D’Antoni said of Curfman. “When he shoots like that, it’s easier to get to the rim. Got to get Obinna (Anochili-Killen) up to snuff (only two came on a layup with 3:58 left).”
Marshall is back in action Saturday at home against former MAC rival Ohio. Start time is 5 p.m. The Bobcats are 5-3 after they routed Cincinnati Clermont, 113-44, Wednesday night at home.
“Another quality program coming in here,” D’Antoni said. “They’re tough.”