Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Wright State
Herd's 500th Win Comes During Ishola's Career Night
12/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2006
Wright State-Marshall Game Book
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Center Modupe Ishola (Washington, D.C.) dominated play in the paint and enjoyed a career-night of 30 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Marshall women's basketball team to its 500th all-time victory by virtue of a 62-54 win over visiting Wright State at the Cam Henderson Center on Tuesday.
Wright State could do little to slow Ishola, who posted career-highs in points (30), rebounds (17), field goals (13) and blocks (5). The senior went 13-of-14 from the floor, 4-of-6 from the free-throw line and did not commit a turnover to help Marshall to program win No. 500.
Marshall (7-4) overcame several scoring lulls, including one in the second half that gave the Raiders (1-9) a brief four-point lead midway through the frame. After the Thundering Herd gained its biggest advantage of the game at 17:48 to go up 11 points, Wright State responded with a 19-4 run to grab a 44-40 edge.
Back-to-back jumpers from Ishola and guard Meg Withrow (Nitro, W.Va.) tied the game at 44-44 before an Erica Richardson jumper pulled the Raiders back ahead by two. Consecutive Meagan Samis (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Ishola field goals regained a lead with 8:36 remaining that Marshall would not relinquish the rest of the contest.
Twelve of Ishola's 30 points came after the Raiders claimed their four-point lead. WSU crawled to within three points with 4:41 left, but would get no closer as the Marshall defense allowed only three more points down the stretch.
"I just try to do whatever I can to help this team win," Ishola said. "We do what we have to do when we're out there fighting (on the floor). I'm just there to finish and am happy that my teammates have confidence in me to get me the ball."
The Herd shot a team season-high 55.6 percent from the field while holding WSU to 32.3 percent.
"They're (Wright State) knocking on the door every game they play," Marshall coach Royce Chadwick said. "We knew it would be a difficult game tonight.
"Modupe Ishola did an outstanding job to position herself (in the paint) and make something happen when she got the ball."
WSU's Brittney Whiteside scored a team-high 18 points, followed by Tyanda Hammock's 15 points. Guard Kanisha Ward dished out a game-high eight assists, but also turned the ball over seven times.
Wright State, courtesy of 16 first-half Marshall turnovers, controlled much of the game's tempo in the first 20 minutes. The Raiders jumped out to an 11-5 lead at 15:47 before the Herd began to show signs of life. Marshall went on to hold the Raiders to only four points through the next 12 minutes to seize a 24-15 lead.
WSU chipped away to close to within two points with 1:48 left in the half, but a pair of MU free throws and a Samis layup with six seconds to go put the Herd up 31-25 at the half.
Withrow, who tied her career-high with seven assists, threw two half-court passes for layins in the first half. She connected with KaShawna Curry (Huntington, W.Va.) and former UNC Wilmington teammate Samis for the easy transition baskets.
"To get to 500 wins with this team is special," Chadwick said. "And to do it with coach (Bob) Pruett behind the bench is also special because he helped us get started here."
Former Herd football coach Bob Pruett and wife Elsie served as guest coaches for Marshall.
Alyssa Hammond (Oak Hill, Ohio) made her first career start. The freshman went 3-for-4 shooting for six points.
After a flight north to Niagara Falls, N.Y., the Herd will take on Niagara University on Thursday at 1 p.m. in its final game before Christmas break.
