Marshall University Athletics
Men's Basketball Gets Win Over EA Sports Squad
11/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball Gets Win Over EA Sports Squad
11/8/2001
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Tamar Slay scored 26 points and J.R. VanHoose recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead Marshall University to a 91-69 victory over the EA Sports East All-Stars Thursday in the Cam Henderson Center.
?We started the game well and then fell asleep,? Marshall Head Coach Greg White said. ?In the second half, we came out and played with emotion.?
The Thundering Herd found itself locked in a close battle throughout the first half of action thanks in part to the stong play of EA Sports? Jermain Willform. The former Northern Alabama star scored 10 points in the first half helping his team stay within six of the Herd at the half (36-30). The All-Stars managed to take the lead with 7:08 to play in the half and tie the score at 28-28 with 2:31 to play before Marshall began to pull away.
In addition to VanHoose and Slay?s outing, Marshall received a boost from the strong play of junior guard Richard Wilson. Wilson scored 12 points in the contest and contributed a game-high eight assists.
Marshall?s other double-digit scorers were: Latece Williams with 10 points and Monty Wright with 18.
EA Sports out-rebounded Marshall 40-35, however the Thundering Herd managed to force 32 turnovers in the contest, while only turning the ball over 12 times.
EA Sports is a traveling team that featured a strong group of former collegiate stars. Players on the team include former Notre Dame?s Keith Tower (6?10, center), UAB standout Eric Holmes (6?4,guard) and Shawn Bankhead (6?7, forward) from Iowa State.
The contest was the Thundering Herd?s last exhibition game before heading into next week?s NABC Classic in Lexington, Ky. Marshall won its first exhibition against Worldwide Basketball?s Kentucky Cat?s, 112-76 on Monday.
?Were excited and honored to be a part of the NABC Classic,? White said. ?Anything cam happen when you tip that ball up.?
The Thundering Herd will face George Washington University in the NABC Classic opening round on Thursday night. Game time is 6 p.m.