Marshall University Athletics

@HerdWBB Defeats Rhode Island in Season Opener, 61-45
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KINGSTON, R.I. - On a day that means everything to Marshall University, the Thundering Herd women's basketball team opened its 2014-15 campaign with a 61-45 win over URI Tip-Off host Rhode Island at Ryan Center on Friday afternoon.
Marking the 44th anniversary of the 1970 plane crash that claimed the lives of 75 Marshall football players, staff and fans, the Herd won its third consecutive season opener under third-year coach Matt Daniel. This was the first lid-lifting road win since 2008-09.
Marshall took the lead at 1:06 into the game and never trailed. At the half, the Herd led 20-16 on 5-of-21 from the field. To open scoring in the second half, senior Leah Scott (Detroit) notched the 19th double-digit performance of her career on a layup. With 16:49 to go in the game, the Herd reached a double-digit margin off a jumper in the paint by Chukwuka Ezeigbo (Trenton, N.J.), and would continue on a 12-to-4 run in the first part of the second half to lead 32-20.
After sitting out the 2013-14 year as a D-I transfer from UMBC, Ashley Lambert (Woodbridge, Va.) earned her first points in a Marshall uniform when she scored off a put-back to make it 40-26 in the Herd's favor at 11:51 in the second half. The Herd matched its largest lead of 20 points with 3:29 to go when junior Norrisha Victrum (Columbia, S.C.) sunk a jumper from the elbow.
En route to the 61-45 victory, Victrum, Scott, Ezeigbo and sophomore McKenzie Akers (Princeton, W.Va.) all contributed double-digit scoring performances. Scott led the way with 16 points, and Ezeigbo recorded the third double-double of her career with 12 points and 10 rebounds. As a team, Marshall topped the Rams in points in the paint (34-24), points off turnovers (10-7), second chance points (10-7) and bench points (17-4). The Herd forced 21 turnovers while committing 17.
DANIEL DIALOGUE
Quotes by coach Matt Daniel:
On getting the victory:
"Princeton is the first team to win a 2014-15 women's basketball road game on this year. Marshall is the second. I'm excited to get a win. I think we're handling ourselves much better in every situation and now it's time to move on to tomorrow and Fairfield."
On senior Leah Scott:
"I thought Leah played maturely. She stayed solid on both ends of the floor. I thought our whole team looked poised. We as a staff tell them every day: `a cool head wins a hot game.'"
LIDLIFTERS
All-time, Marshall is 10-11 when beginning regular season play away from home. This weekend marked the first time that the Herd started on the road under coach Matt Daniel. With Daniel at the helm, Marshall is 3-0 in season openers at Cam Henderson Center.
THE LAST TIME...
- The Herd allowed 20 or fewer points in a half: Feb. 8, 2014 - 20, first half vs. LA Tech (W, 69-55)
- The Herd scored 20 or fewer points in a half: Feb. 19, 2014 - 16, second half at Middle Tennessee (L, 75-36)
- The Herd won on the road: Jan. 5, 2014 - at NJIT (W, 57-56)
- The Herd won a season opener on the road: Nov. 14, 2008 - at Appalachian State (W, 67-65)
TOURNEY TIDBITS
An All-Tournament team - consisting of one player from each team as well as an overall tournament MVP - will be announced at the end of the tournament. East Carolina, formerly of Conference USA and current American Athletic Conference member, completes the four-team field. The Pirates will play Fairfield on Friday at 2 p.m., and will face host Rhode Island on Saturday at 3 p.m.
THE SERIES
Marshall is now 1-0 in the series against the Rams.
LET'S GET SOCIAL
Keep up with the latest news about Herd basketball by liking the team's official Facebook page: Marshall University Basketball. For live in-game updates and news, follow @HerdWBB on Twitter. Want to see photos and behind-the-scenes action? Give @HerdWBB a follow on Instagram.
UP NEXT
Marshall will continue at the URI Tip-Off against Fairfield tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. at Ryan Center. For all the latest information about Marshall women's basketball, follow @HerdWBB on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---