— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Cade Gibbs went from lead cheerleader to leading scorer.
Having sat for the past three games in favor of a taller lineup, Gibbs got on the floor for nearly 16 minutes in Friday’s Sun Belt Conference contest against Appalachian State at a rowdy Cam Henderson Center.
He led the way on Senior Night with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting including 4 of 4 from three. He also grabbed five rebounds as the Thundering Herd routed the Mountaineers, 75-57.
The win gives the Herd (19-12, 12-6) the No. 5 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament next week in Pensacola, Florida. It won’t know its opponent until Thursday.
Appalachian State (17-14, 10-8) goes in as the No. 6 seed.
The Herd had seven seniors combine for 59 points in their final home game. They were recognized prior to tip in the SBC showdown aired live on ESPNU. The other seniors are Obinna Anochili-Killen, Nate Martin, Mikal Dawson, Jalen Speer and brothers Jakob and Cade Gibbs.
Speer finished with 14 points, Anochili-Killen 12, seven rebounds and four of the team’s nine blocks.
“Just a group of unselfish guys,” Cade Gibbs said. “We all wanted to make the most or our last year. It’s huge for us. Everybody stays ready. We all put in the work. Show you’re ready when your number’s called. Holding them to 57 is huge, too.”
On one of the baskets by Jakob Gibbs, brother Chris set him up with a pass.
“Awesome moment,” Jakob Gibbs said.
Speer didn’t have his best shooting night, but he still dished out five assists.
“Individual effort,” Speer said. “Everybody’s locked in from the jump. Ready especially this guy (Jakob) here. He always encourages us. You hope he keeps the confidence and he did. The guys have my back. That’s important. I appreciate those guys. Helps us stayed locked in. Brings the energy is what it does.”
Marshall won the first meeting last week, 69-59, as part of its ongoing four-game win streak. Friday’s effort prompted a smile from first-year coach Corny Jackson as he addressed the media in the post-game news conference and roars from the season-high home crowd of 5,223 fans as he pulled the starters with 1:56 to play. “
“Most complete game,” Jackson said. “We’ve been playing well. We’ve got a lot of basketball in front of us. An awesome game. The guy came with a lot of energy. Fans had energy. Want to send these guys out the right way.
“Proud of Cade Gibbs. Been out of the rotation for three games. Erich (Harding) is a little taller. He’s got the loudest voice. His demeanor doesn’t change.”
Marshall’s largest lead was 24 points (65-41) with 10:07 left. As the game got out of hand, the Mountaineers had no field goals the final 6:54. Myles Tate led the Mountaineers with 19 points. Dior Conners and C.J. Huntley had 11 each.
”We came out ready and focused,” Jackson said. “We wanted to be the aggressor.”
Of the seven seniors, many were transfers out of the portal and got one season.
“Character,” Jackson said of that special group. “Parents did a great job raising those guys.”
Again Jackson and hiss coaches developed a game plan and the team took it to the floor.
“Gave them a plan and they executed it to a T,” Jackson said. “Told them to focus, control their emotions.”
The Mountaineers have lost four straight.
In the first half, Cade Gibbs came off the bench to score 11 points. He went 4-of-4 from the field with 3-of-3 from behind the arc.
The Herd got a pair of threes from Dawson. Dezayne Mingo led the in rebounds with six. Harding came off the bench and got six points on three field goals. All were in from in close.
Appalachian State hit 10 of 26 from the field and 4 of 12 from three. Tate led the Mountaineers with 10 points.
Marshall started fast with an 11-0 run to take 12-1 lead four minutes into the contest. Appalachian State fought back and got within 22-17 at the media timeout with 7:17 left in the half.
From that point, the Herd went on another run. A Harding dunk with 3:13 on the clock upped the lead to 33-22 and the visitors took time. With 1:27 left, Cade Gibbs nailed a three and the Herd led 39-24 thanks to a 13-2 run.
Tate drilled a shot in the paint with 14 seconds left to set the margin at 39-26 at the break.
Anochili-Killen increased his total shot blocks to 90 for the season. That’s No. in the league and second nationally.
Marshall now leads the overall series 36-20.