Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Women's Hoops Heads to Cincinnati
12/20/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall women's basketball is set to battle its first Big East opponent of the season, in Cincinnati, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, for its final contest before the holiday. Tipoff is set for 7p.m., at the Fifth Third Arena and will be televised on Fox Sports Ohio.
"Any time you face a big east opponent on their floor you must be ready to play," head coach Royce Chadwick said.
The Thundering Herd comes off its second win in four games, a 71-67 victory verse Cleveland State (6-3), to move to 3-6 on the season.
Tynikki Crook struck again in Marshall's latest contests, posting 25 points for the second consecutive contest while pulling down a season-high 14 boards for her fourth double-double of the season. Crook has stepped it up another notch averaging 25 points and 11 rebounds over the past four contests.
The Herd presented its most diverse attack of the year with nine players posting two points or more for MU, including Veronica Ruiz's 13 point effort and Tessa Johnson's career-high 12 points.
Newcomer Dorina Barrett went 2-for-5 in her debut against the Vikings, contributing six points, to go along with three assists.
Cincinnati (5-4) has dropped four straight games coming into Tuesday, including three consecutive home contests. In Saturday's matchup Shelly Bellman recorded a season-high 22 points but it wasn't enough to defeat Wright State as the Bearcats fell 65-50. Bellman converted 4-of-10 from beyond the arc and 9-of-16 from the field. Cincinnati's season scoring leader, 14.8 points per game, contributed nine points and five assists in the losing effort.
"Cincinnati is a very balanced team. They have perimeter shooters, an inside game, several scorers and great defensive play," Chadwick continued. "We will have to play a very good game to keep up with all of their offensive weapons."
MU holds a 6-3 series lead, with the last meeting dating back to the 1998-99 season.
