Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UAB
Crooks Jumper Lifts Marshall Past UAB, 58-57
2/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 17, 2011
Game Book
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Tynikki Crook's game-winning jumper with 4.3 seconds left on the clock helped Marshall to a 58-57 victory against UAB in Thursday night's Conference USA matchup at the Cam Henderson Center. Crook shot a perfect seven-for-seven from the floor to finish the night with a team-high 17 points, to go along with six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.
The Thundering Herd snapped the Blazers four game win streak to snag its seventh win of the season (7-18, 3-9 C-USA). UAB falls to 13-12 on the season and 5-7 in conference play.
Both teams shot lights out from three-point range in the opening half, combining for 10-of-14 from beyond the arc. The Herd finished the first 20 minutes of action shooting its highest percentage of the season from the floor at 72.2 percent (13-of-18) but Amanda Peterson's 17 points helped the Blazers to a 36-29 advantage.
MU would finish the half with on a 6-2 run that was capped off with a Veronica Ruiz trey, the first of her career to send Marshall to the locker room down three, 38-35.
Defense was the name of the game in a physical second half as the Thundering Herd held the Blazers to just 19 points.
"Both teams played really good defense, although the shooting percentages didn't reflect it," head coach Royce Chadwick said. "The difference in the game was that we didn't turn the ball over in the second half. We were able to execute better and we did a better job slowing Amanda Peterson down in the second half. She was big time for them in the first half and really hurt us a lot."
Rashedah Henriques finished with nine points, hitting three-of-four from behind the arc, including one to put the Herd on top at 54-52 with 1:59 remaining in the contest. On the Herd's subsequent possession Crook drained a turnaround jumper to give Marshall a four point cushion.
UAB's gunner, Peterson struck again, connecting on her eighth three point basket of the night to pull within one at 56-55, with one minute to go. The Herd's 15th turnover of the contest proved to be a crucial one as Karisma Chapman laid in an offensive rebound to retake the lead with 28 seconds left.
Marshall worked the ball around to look for its senior and did with time winding down. Crook nearly lost possession in the midst of a double-team but regained control to hit the jumper. UAB pushed the ball up court and got a look as time expired but Amber Jones was unable to connect.
Ruiz concluded the night with 13 points and five rebounds.
Peterson ended the night with a game-high 23 points, her third 20 point game in the last four contests. Chapman chipped in 13 points, while Jones added 11 points and seven assists.
The Thundering Herd hits the road again to take on Tulsa on Sunday. The Herd owns a 3-2 series lead against the Golden Hurricane following three straight wins, including last year's 57-49 victory.
