Marshall University Athletics
Balanced Herd Topples Kent State, 80-67
2/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Balanced Herd Topples Kent State, 80-67
2/25/2003
- Box Score
David Anderson scored 12 points, grabbed six rebounds, and blocked two shots against Kent State |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University shot 60% from the floor, placed four players in double-figures scoring, and limited Kent State University to a mere 29% shooting en route to an 80-67 win in Mid-American Conference men's basketball action Tuesday.
"I thought this was our best effort and win of the year," Marshall head coach Greg White said. "Everyone did his part and this was just a tremendous team win. Anytime you beat a team the caliber of Kent State you have to be pleased."
Marshall (12-12 overall, 8-7 MAC) attacked the interior of the Kent State defense all night and it paid off. Marshall connected on 24 of 40 shots from the floor (60%) and out-scored Kent State 30 to 14 in the paint. In contrast, the Flashes were held to only 20 of 69 shooting (29%) and hit only nine of 31 three-point attempts.
Ronald Blackshear led four Marshall players in double-digit points with 15. David Anderson and Monty Wright added 12 points each, while Mark Patton chipped in with 10. Anderson and Patton both earned rare starts in the contest and responded. Anderson pulled down a team-high six rebounds and blocked two shots in 21 minutes, while Patton added a block in his 15 minutes of action. Both players were perfect from the field.
Marshall also recieved a solid performance from point guard A.W. Hamilton who recorded nine assists and nine points. The Herd's Marvin Black chipped in with nine points and five rebounds, while Ardo Armpalu scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds, and recorded four blocked shots. All told, Marshall swatted 10 Kent State shots in the contest.
Kent State (18-7 overall, 11-5 MAC) was led by Antonio Gates who scored a game-high 23 points. The Golden Flash senior was limited to only 5 of 19 shooting, however he managed to connect on 13 of 18 free throw shots. Anthony Wilkins added 18 points for Kent State.
Marshall's win, coupled with a Miami win over Northern Illinois, knocks Kent State from first in the MAC East Division with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Thundering Herd now turns its attention to rival Ohio University. Marshall will travel to Athens to take on the Bobcats at 1 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised on the Ohio Sports Network (WSAZ-TV Huntington/Charleston).
