Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
West Virginia Wesleyan
Women's Basketball Defeats West Virginia Wesleyan, 75-63
11/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 1, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va.-Marshall senior Tynikki Crook recorded a team-high 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Thundering Herd women's basketball team topped West Virginia Wesleyan, 75-63, in Monday night's exhibition contest at the Cam Henderson Center.
Three other members of the Thundering Herd joined Crook in double-figures, led by Veronica Ruiz's 17 points and eight boards. Rashedah Henriques added 12 points, while newcomer Lateidra Elliot tallied all 10 of her points from the free throw line in her Herd debut.
"I think Lateidra Elliot is a difference maker for a basketball team. When you have a very good trigger person up there she just makes everybody a little bit better and I think tonight you got a glimpse of what she is able to do," head coach Royce Chadwick said.
Ruiz started the Herd off with a layup just seven seconds into the game to give the MU a quick 2-0 lead, an advantage Marshall would never relinquish.
A Crook jumper at the 11:14 mark of the first half capped off an 8-2 Thundering Herd scoring run. Crook and Ruiz shot 11-for-15 from field in the opening stanza to help Marshall to a 40-32 advantage at the break.
Crook's turnaround jumper with 11:51 remaining in the contest would give the Herd its first double-digit lead of the second half and would remain in double-figures for the remainder of the contest.
Wesleyan's Lydia Bridenbaugh paced the Bobcats with 13 first half points and added four second half baskets to finish with a game-high 21 points. Danae Hill and Brianna Welch added 15 points and 10 points, respectively.
Marshall enjoyed a 48-33 advantage on the glass, thanks in part to Adrian Randall's game-high 11 boards. The sophomore also led all players with six blocks.
The Thundering Herd opens the regular season at Farmville, Va., in the Longwood Classic on Nov. 12 and 13. MU takes on Appalachian State on Friday and follows with Longwood on Saturday. Both games are set to tipoff at 5 p.m.
