Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Women Drop Fresno State Classic Opener to Southern Utah
11/22/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Marshall Women Drop Fresno State Classic Opener to Southern Utah
11/22/2001
Fresno, CA--The Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1-2) used an explosive three-point attack to fend off the Marshall Thundering Herd, 77-74, Thursday night in the opening round of the Fresno State Classic. The Thunderbirds made a team record 15 threes in the Thanksgiving Day victory.
"We got down and fought back, and I'm real proud of our heart," said head coach Royce Chadwick. "Our press got us back in the game in the 2nd half, but they did a great job of executing their three point offense. We were out of sync most of the game, giving up too many easy baskets in the half court. However, you've got to give them credit for knocking down all of those threes."
As has been the case all season, the Herd let their opponent jump out to an early lead, and with the abundance of sharp shooters on the Southern Utah roster, those early leads were too difficult to overcome. However, Marshall ended up clawing back into the game, another common theme this young season.
The Herd fell down by 15 with just under ten minutes to go in the first half on one of Lindsey Hille's six three-pointers. Marshall closed the scoring gap, and with Cassie Hackworth's (Pikeville, OH) two made free throws at the 3:34 mark, the score was tied at 28. Southern Utah promptly put together an 11-2 run to end the half to make the score 39-30 heading into the break.
The Thunderbirds started the first half like they ended the second, putting together a 15-3 run this time to make the score 54-33, their biggest lead of the game. Coach Chadwick and his staff then turned up the pressure defense, and the decision paid off. Marshall went on a 26-3 run in the next seven minutes to tie the game at 59. The teams then proceeded to trade baskets in a game that was growing in intensity as the seconds ticked by.
With ten seconds remaining in the game, the Herd trailed Southern Utah by three, 77-74. Ida Dotson (Tombstone, AZ) raced the ball up the court after a missed free throw, and rimmed out a three-point attempt from the right elbow. Amy Reed (Schuylkill Haven, PA) grabbed the long rebound, manically dribbled to the three-point line, and threw up a desperation, game-tying shot. The ball rattled around the rim, and then dropped to the floor, preserving the win for Southern Utah.
Dotson led the Herd with 19 points. Au'Yana Ferguson (Louisville, KY) had 17, and Reed added 13.
Lindsey Hille led Southern Utah with 27 points. Caroline Heaton added 22 points in the winning effort.
Marshall takes on Cal. State Northridge Saturday at noon pacific in the consolation game of the Fresno State Classic.
