Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
VMI
Men's Basketball Wins Fifth Straight, Tops VMI, 98-70
12/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Redshirt sophomore Nigel Spikes scored a career-high 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds en route to the first double-double of his career as the Marshall University men's basketball team won its fifth-consecutive game, topping VMI, 98-70, Sunday afternoon at the Cam Henderson Center.
Spikes career night was highlighted by a 6-8 shooting performance, a block and 10 defensive rebounds. Shaquille Johnson notched a season-best 19 points to lead Marshall (8-2). The junior was 6-of-8 from the floor and hit five of seven free throw attempts.
Redshirt freshman DeAndre Kane tallied 18 points while Damier Pitts, seeing his first action of the season, scored 13 points.
"It was a good win, we had contributions from a lot of guys," Marshall head coach Tom Herrion said. "We were a little careless at times and still had too many turnovers, but a lot of really good things happened today. I am proud of how we prepared and how we came out ready to play."
The Thundering Herd scored at will in the first half, hitting 23 out of 30 attempts, a 76.7 shooting percentage. Following a Tirrell Baines bucket to open the contest, VMI (7-5, 0-2 Big South) immediately responded to mark what would be the final tie of the contest.
A dunk by Spikes gave the Herd a lead it would not give up. The advantage reached double figures for the first time on a Kane three-pointer seven minutes in. Marshall's hot shooting continued as the squad would take a 16-point lead (56-40) into the halftime break. Kane notched a double-double in the first half alone, scoring 12 points while dishing out 11 assists.
Marshall's offense continued its smooth execution early in the second half, opening up a 23-ponit advantage, 72-49, with 11:45 remaining in the game on a Pitts jumper. The Keydets went on a 7-0 spurt to cut the deficit to 16, but Marshall would finish the game on a 26-14 run to take the 98-70 win.
Kane finished the game with 13 assists, the most for an MU player since Dago Pena recorded 10 against Salem International last season. As a team, the Herd had 23 assists, tying the season mark, which was set against Glenville State.
Marshall owned the boards on Sunday, finishing with a 55-30 rebounding edge. It marked the second time this season MU recorded 50 or more boards. The Herd shot 58.7% on the game while holding VMI to 32.5% shooting, a season low for the Keydets.
Stan Okoye led all players on Sunday with 24 points and 15 rebounds. He hit 10-of-19 shots. Michael Sparks scored 16 point, connecting on 4-11 threes.
The Herd will play its final game before Christmas break on Wednesday, traveling to Harrisonburg, Va. to face James Madison at 7 p.m. The teams squared off on December 7 with Marshall taking a 67-63 victory. On Saturday, the Dukes grabbed a 66-61 win on the road at South Florida. Marshall's next home game will be on Tuesday, December 28 when the Herd welcomes Binghamton to town at 7 p.m. It will be part of a doubleheader with the women's team, who faces Morehead State at 4.
