Marshall University Athletics
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UTEP
Herd Women Rebound With 65-56 Win Over UTEP
2/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2010
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - After missing the previous seven games, Marshall junior Tynikki Crook scored 15 points to lead the Thundering Herd women's basketball team to a 65-56 win over UTEP Saturday at the Cam Henderson Center.
Crook was one of four double-digit scorers for Marshall (14-11, 6-6 C-USA), which put a resounding halt to a three-game losing streak. UTEP (13-11, 4-6 C-USA) was led by a 16-point performance from Dietra Caldwell.
After failing to lead in the previous three games, the Herd came out firing, hitting four of its first six shots on its way to an 8-2 advantage over the first four minutes. The lead would extend to 10-4 for the Herd as five players contributed buckets.
UTEP made its first run of the game, putting up five-straight points to make it a 10-9 game as Baiba Eglite nailed a trey for the Miners. Marshall would see its lead grow to as many as four points over the next seven minutes before a pair of Anete Steinberga free throws tied the game at 21-21 with under six minutes left in the period.
With the game knotted at 29-29 with 2:16 remaining, the Herd scored the final two field goals of the half to take a 33-29 lead to the break. The Herd finished the half hitting 51.6% of its shots (16-of-31) while outrebounding the Miners, 18-12. Eight out of nine MU players recorded a bucket in the opening stanza.
Things remained close in the second half. Just over five minutes in, the Herd re-established a six-point edge, 40-34, to match its largest lead of the game. Tynikki Crook hit a pair of lay-ups to pace the Herd. With MU up 42-36, Jareica Hughes was fouled on a made three-pointer and hit the resulting free throw to complete the rare four-point play.
Up by three, 47-44, with 11:13 left in the game, Marshall made a game-changing run. The Herd went on a 10-2 run to take a double-digit lead for the first time in the game. Crook once again was pivotal, tallying six over that stretch.
The run continued as MU would see its lead grow to as many as 14 points, 63-49. The defense clamped down on the Miners, holding them to just two field goals in the final eight minutes.
Marshall finished with a solid 38-34 edge on the boards and after struggling with its shooting in Crook's absence, outshot UTEP, .509-345.
Joining Crook in double figures were Kendra King and Erica Woods, who scored 11 apiece while Chantelle Handy scored 10.
For UTEP, Anete Steinberga notched a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 boards.
Saturday night's win over UTEP marked the first regular season win for Marshall over the Miners. MU was previously 0-4 in regular season matchups. In their only postseason meeting last season, the Herd came away with a 72-70 overtime victory.
Marshall will return to action on Sunday, February 21, playing host to SMU. Tip is set for 12 p.m. at the Cam Henderson Center and will be televised by CBS College Sports. The game will also mark the annual Think Pink game. Promotions for the event will be announced at the beginning of the week.
