Marshall University Athletics
Women's Basketball To Wrap Up Homestand Against Kent State
11/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University women's basketball team will wrap up its season-opening three-game homestand on Saturday, playing host to former Mid-American Conference rival Kent State at 12 p.m. at the Cam Henderson Center.
The Thundering Herd has had a tough start to the season, dropping to 0-2 following a heartbreaking 53-52 loss to Seton Hall on Monday evening. Marshall held a lead for 39:42 out of 40 minutes, however, a three-pointer by Ebonie Williams of the Pirates lifted them to the win.
Tynikki Crook notched the first double-double of the season against SHU, scoring 15 points while hauling in ten rebounds. The junior hit 7-of-11 free throw attempts in the loss. Alyssa Hammond has also had a solid start to the year, averaging 12.5 PPG. Hammond led the Herd with 15 points in the opener against Appalachian State.
Sophomore Rashedah Henriques has come off the bench to provide a spark for Marshall early in the season. In each game thus far, Henriques has knocked down three three-pointers, averaging 10.0 PPG. She tied her career-high with 11 points in the season opener.
Shooting has been the problem for Marshall in its season-opening two-game skid. The Herd has connected on 34-128 shot attempts, a .266 shooting percentage. Against Appalachian State, Marshall started the game 1-of-18 from the floor. The Herd is allowing opponents to make good on 44.2% of its shot attempts.
One bright spot for the Herd has been its ability to force turnovers while taking care of the ball on the offensive end. Marshall has committed just 21 turnovers through two games. It marked the first time in the Royce Chadwick era that the team has had 11 or fewer turnovers in consecutive games.
On the defensive end, MU has forced its first two opponents into 48 turnovers, including 27 by Appalachian State. It marked the first time since the 2004-05 season that the team has forced that many turnovers in consecutive games.
Saturday's opponents, Kent State, will mark a tall task for the Herd. The Golden Flashes enter the game with a perfect 2-0 mark following wins over Robert Morris and Youngstown State.
Senior forward Yoshica Spears leads the team, averaging 9.5 PPG and 10.5 RPG. Last time out against Youngstown State, Spears notched 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Golden Flashes lead the overall series against Marshall buy a 16-6 margin, however, the Herd has won four of the last seven meetings. In the last contest, Kent State grabbed a 73-57 win in the opening round of the 2005 Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Saturday's game will mark the final home game for the Herd until December 20 when it hosts UT-Martin. Next week, MU will travel to Ohio U. on Tuesday to face the Bobcats before taking part in the Pitt Thanksgiving Tournament next Friday and Saturday.
