Marshall University Athletics
Herd Women Back In Action At Terrapin Classic
12/27/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 27, 2008
COLLEGE PARK. Md. - The Marshall University women's basketball team will resume action on Monday as they will face off against Mississippi State in the opening game of the Terrapin Classic.
The Thundering Herd and the Bulldogs will get things started at noon. The tournament will also feature Maryland and UNC Asheville, who will square off at 2 p.m. at the Comcast Center.
Last time out, the Herd took on Richmond on December 20. A hot shooting Spider team hit 73.1% of its first half shots en route to a 46-16 halftime lead. Marshall cut into the lead slightly in the second half before falling 74-49.
Tynikki Crook led the Herd with 13 points while Chantelle Handy chipped in 11 points and a game high seven rebounds. Alyssa Hammond also finished with 11 points.
The Herd has struggled over its last four games, winning just once. One of the major factors in the three losses has been its long term scoring droughts. In all three of those games, the Herd has failed to hit 20 points over the course of a half.
Marshall will look to right the ship, but it will have its hands full against 10-0 Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are outscoring the opposition by an astounding 28.7 points per game. Last time out, MSU grabbed a 63-51 win at Utah. Three Bulldogs average in double figures, led by Armelie Lumanu, who averages 14.6 PPG.
Depending on Monday's outcome, the Herd will face either Maryland or UNC Asheville on Tuesday. The Terrapins are currently 9-2 and are ranked in both polls. They are 14th in the AP Poll and are 16th in the USA Today poll. Kristi Toliver and Marissa Coleman each average over 15 PPG for the Terps.
UNC Asheville comes to Maryland with a 3-7 mark. After losing their first four games, the Bulldogs have gone 3-3 in their last six contests.
Marshall has never faced Mississippi State, but has faced both of Tuesday's potential opponents twice. The Herd most recently faced Maryland in Huntington in 2007. The Terrapins came to Huntington as the top team in the nation and left with a 68-49 win.
The Herd has won both meetings against UNC Asheville, most recently topping the Bulldogs by a score of 85-73 in 2000.
Following the tournament, the Herd will have a three-day layoff before opening up Conference USA play on the road at East Carolina. The Herd will take on the Pirates in Greenville on January 3 at 2 p.m.
