By: Landen Hamilton, FM 88 Sports.
HUNTINGTON, W. Va (WMUL-FM) — On Wednesday, October 28th, Marshall would take on the UPIKE Bears in the Herds final game prior to the season opening on Monday. The expectations for the Herd were high as they play a very tough non-conference schedule and need to get the ball rolling before Monday night’s matchup vs the Buffalo Bulls.
Marshall would start the game off well by finding their big men in the paint early which allowed them to step out in front of UPIKE 16-8 with 11:18 to go in half number 1. The lead wouldn’t last very long as the bears would strike back and go on a long run to bring the game within 1 just 3 minutes later. The UPIKE started to really find their range from long distance and would take a 29-27 lead into the half. Both teams played very strong defense in the first half but had lots of work to do on the offensive end if they wanted to pull off the victory.
The half time break wouldn’t help the Herd immediately as UPIKE would nail a long distance 3 directly out of the break and increase the lead to 5. That 5 point lead for the bears would be the largest of the night however, as Marshall would find their footing and put together 4 consecutive possessions all leading to great looks and finishes at the rim. Marshall would reclaim the lead by 4 going up 48-44. Momentum would continue to fall on the side of Marshall as after a media timeout the Herd would really start to break the game open with 2 alley-oop slams making the score 54-44. UPIKE would never quit in this one, however as late in the contest off a steal and 2 quick buckets making it 72-66 with just 2 minutes to go. Head Coach
Corny Jackson called a timeout to stop the run from the bears and would pull his team together and finish out the game 78-68.
Marshalls next contest will be at home vs the Buffalo Bulls live from the Cam Henderson Center. Marshall will look to start their season off with a bang, defeating Buffalo to correct some of their preseason wows. You can listen live on WMUL-FM 88.1 | The Cutting Edge – The Cutting Edge since 1961
FM 88 Sports Zane Quentrill and Owen James will be on the call for the game with pregame starting at 6:30 pm and tip off at 7 pm.