— By David Walsh
Marshall worked its comeback magic with a unique lineup to rally from 16 points down in the first half and knock off Appalachian State, 94-93, in Sun Belt Conference action Thursday night at the Holmes Center in Boone, N.C.
The win moves the Thundering Herd (18-10, 10-5 SBC) into a first-place tie in the league with Troy.
Marshall staged the comeback with an unusual cast of characters. Coach Corny Jackson turned to Landen Joseph, who made his second start, along with Drew Fuquay, Shamarrie Hugie and Wilson Dubinsky.
The Herd battled foul trouble all night and lost Erich Harding to fouls, while Wyatt Fricks missed much of the second half with four fouls. Veteran Jalen Speer made his presence felt as usual, but Noah Otshudi sat most of the second half with reserves helping to get the job done.
Joseph hit a jumper with 12 seconds left to put the Herd ahead, 94-92. Appalachian State’s Jalen Tot was fouled on a shot attempt with 4 seconds remaining. He made the first free throw, but missed the second and the Herd got the rebound and the win to disappoint the crowd off 3,011.
“You know we have the next-man-up mentality,” Jackson said on radio following the game. “These guys that played have done this before. We didn’t have a choice.”
Jackson noted he and several players are fighting the flu bug.
“Erich was puking his guts at halftime,” Jackson said. “I’m under the weather. But we found a way. A lot of guys did big things.”
Joseph racked up a career-high 24 points. He made 9-of-13 shots (3 of 5 from three) and added four assists. One big assist came with 3:28 left when he got the ball to Hugie, who made a three to give Marshall its first lead at 86-84. Marshall made 20-of-29 shots in the second half to 11 of 23 for the Mountaineers.
“He hit big bucket after big bucket after big bucket,” Jackson said. “We just got him the ball screen. He’s making the right play. We have to play big down the stretch if we’re going to be a championship team. We’re peaking at the right time.”
With the makeshift lineup, the Herd sprung a trap defense in the second half and the Mountaineers didn’t handle it well.
“We’re just a dangerous team in the second half,” Joseph said. “I don’t think they were ready for it because it really startled them. I thought they weren’t comfortable with the ball.”
Fuquay and Joseph hit threes to keep the Herd up by three late. Kasen Jennings connected on a three for the Mountaineers (18-11, 10-6) with 40 seconds left to tie the game at 92 and set the stage for the dramatic finish.
LANDEN ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!? pic.twitter.com/fAglptwhx9
— Marshall Men’s Basketball (@Herd_MBB) February 20, 2026
“I work on those type of shots every day,” Joseph said. “Some aren’t going to fall. You just keep shooting. That was an unusual group. I think we’re more dangerous. We’re so mobile.”
Joseph had confidence Fuquay would hit the big shots.
“When I got him the ball, I knew he was going to make it,” Joseph said of the go-ahead score. “Their heads went down when that shot went in. We’re trying to come out with No. 1 seed. Take care of business on the road and then our home games. I feel like we’ll do great in the tournament.”
Jackson said the Herd’s mindset late paid off.
“They were playing for first pace and we were playing a regular game,” Jackson said. “If we can stay healthy, I like our chances. You can’t have mental lapses. We had some guys make big plays down the stretch.”
Marshall returns to action Saturday against Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. Tip is 1 p.m. The Chanticleers won the first meeting. This is the Herd’s final road game of the season.
Appalachian State played uptempo in the first half and raced to a 52-41 lead. The Mountaineers connected on eight three-pointers to six for Marshall. Both team had 11 threes for the night. The home team led, 44-28, with 4:05 left in the opening half, after running off 12 unanswered points.
Speer tied Joseph for team-high scoring honor with 24 and Fuqay was 6 for 6 with 15 points. Fricks scored 10 to make it four double-figure scorers in the win.
Alonzo Dodd and Tot paced the Mountaineers with 19 points apiece.
Jennings scored 17, Luke Wilson 16 and Michael Marcus Jr. 12 in defeat.
The home team shot 40 free throws and made 28. The Herd went 15 of 21 at the foul line.