Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UCF*
Men's Basketball Tops UCF, 67-62
2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 28, 2009
Huntington, W.Va. - Marshall University's Markel Humphrey scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Tirrell Baines added 16 points and 11 boards to lead the Thundering Herd to a 67-62 win over UCF in Conference USA men's basketball action Wednesday.
A season-high crowd of 6,143 at the Cam Henderson Center watched as Marshall improved to 14-15 overall and 6-8 in C-USA with the win. UCF falls to 16-12 overall and 6-8 in C-USA play.
"I am proud of the effort this team brings every game. We continue to play with a lot of heart and great passion and it all starts with Markel Humphrey," Marshall Head Coach Donnie Jones said. "Markel and Tirrell Baines both battled inside and played very well for us tonight against a very good UCF team."
Humphrey, a senior forward, was 6of-10 from the floor and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe. He added two assists and block and two steals in 32 minutes of action. Baines, a sophomore forward, was 5-of-11 from the floor and a perfect 6-for-6 at the line. Baines and Humphrey recorded five and six offensive rebounds, respectively.
In addition to the double-doubles, Marshall received a team-high 21 points from freshman Damier Pitts. The Marshall point guard came through in the clutch connecting on 7-of-7 free throw shots, including four with under nine seconds to go in the game to preserve the win and extend a one-point MU lead out to the final score.
"My teammates did a great job tonight and they were able to find me for some open looks," Pitts said. "It all starts with Markel (Humphrey) and the confidence he has in me. When he inbounds the ball...he has the confidence in me and that confidence, along with the confidence of my teammates, helps. I am a very confident free throw shooter and I want to come through for my team whenever those opportunities are there."
UCF was led by senior Jermaine Taylor's 28 points. The Knight standout hit 10-of-24 shots and was 6-for-6 at the line, however managed to connect on only two of 11 three-point shots in the game. Kenrick Zondervan added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Knights.
Marshall out-rebounded UCF 37 to 32 and recorded only eight turnovers to UCF's nine.
"I can't say enough about the crowd tonight. The atmosphere was outstanding and you would have thought there were 15,000 fans here," Jones said. "I want to thank the fans for coming out and making a difference for us all season long."
Marshall has now won two in a row and five of its last seven games heading into the regular season home finale with Rice next Wednesday at 7 p.m. It will be the final home game for senior Markel Humphrey and Adam Williams. Williams, a junior is graduating this May and has decided to start his coaching career as a graduate assistant next season.
"I hope our fans pack in the Henderson Center on Wednesday to give Markel Humphrey the salute that he deserves," Jones said. "He is a special player and one of the best ever to play here. It may not show up in the number of wins over his career, but he continues to will this team on and give everything he has every night out."
