Marshall University Athletics
Oregon Ducks Await Men's Basketball In Charleston
11/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Oregon Ducks Await Men's Basketball In Charleston
11/26/2004
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The Thundering Herd take on perennial PAC-10 powerhouse Oregon Saturday evening in the Charleston Civic Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
Saturday's matchup between the two schools is the back end of a neutral site-for-neutral site agreement that began with Marshall?s trip to Portland for the Pape Jam last December. The Ducks defeated the Herd in the first ever meeting, 90-61, at the Rose Garden. Tonight?s game marks the first time Oregon has visited the state of West Virginia for a basketball game.
In Marshall's last time out, the Herd defeated two-time Southern Conference champ East Tennessee State, 80-76, on November 23rd at the Henderson Center. The Herd took the lead midway through the first half and never looked back, although the Buccaneers made things interesting down the stretch with a valiant comeback. All five Herd starters scored in double-figures, with senior guard A.W. Hamilton (Georgetown, Ky.) leading the way with 16 points. Joe Miles (Forestville, Md.) and David Anderson (Levittown, P.R.) each added 12 points, Enoch Bunch (Nashville, Tenn.) chipped in 13 points, and Mark Patton (Barboursville, W.Va.) poured in ten points in the Herd?s win. LaVar Carter (Louisville, Ky.) also had a good day off the bench, scoring seven points and posting new career highs in rebounds and blocked shots with nine and three, respectively.
Oregon enters Saturday's contest with a 2-0 record, and thus far in 2004-05 has defeated Idaho State and New Mexico. Guard Aaron Brooks leads the Ducks in scoring, rebounding, and assists, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and eight assists per game, respectively. The Ducks? roster boasts three seven footers, and one 6?10 man on their roster, plus one of the most heralded freshman in the nation in Malik Hairston. Oregon was picked to finish fourth in the PAC-10 in the conference?s preseason poll.
Marshall has dropped its last seven games on a neutral court, with four of those coming last season. The Herd?s last win on a neutral floor came against West Virginia in the Charleston Civic Center during the 2001-02 season.
Tickets for Saturday's game are still available at the Charleston Civic Center and through TicketMaster outlets. Lower bowl seats are $15, upper level sideline seats are $10, and upper level end zone seats are $5.
The game will be televised in Eugene, Oregon, on the Oregon Sports Network.