Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Norfolk State
@HerdWBB Completes Comeback at Norfolk State, 73-71
12/16/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NORFOLK, Va. - AJ Johnson (Silver Spring, Md.) tied the school record for 3-pointers made in a single game with six in a thrilling comeback victory for Marshall women's basketball (6-2) at Norfolk State (2-6), 73-71, on Tuesday at Echols Hall.
With the win, the Herd improved to 6-2, its best record since 2011-12.
Johnson's six threes tied two other players for the school record: Kizzy Hart against Houston (March 1, 2008) and Natal Rosko against Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 30, 1994).
After the Herd rolled to a 12-3 lead to open the game, including six points by Chukwuka Ezeigbo (Trenton, N.J.), Norfolk State went on a 15-2 stint over 6:19 to make it 18-14 at 8:42. Marshall battled back and re-gained the lead with a Johnson 3-pointer at 3:28, 24-21. The score would tie twice more before the break, where the Herd found itself in its largest halftime deficit, down 32-26.
The Spartans opened the second half on a roll, going up by 10 at 17:11, up 41-31. Norfolk State gained its largest lead of the game, up 13 at 15:27, 46-33. However, the Herd found its footing and outscored the Spartans 23-10 over eight minutes to tie the game at 56 with 7:47 remaining. It was a close battle for the remaining seven minutes, with NSU's lead fluctuating between two and four.
The Herd re-gained its first lead since 3:28 left in the first half when it found a 69-67 edge with 1:21 left. The game tied twice more, at 69 and 71. With four seconds on the clock, Leah Scott (Detroit) put up a jumper and missed. Ezeigbo grabbed the rebound and kissed it off the glass into the basket for a 73-71 Marshall lead with 1.4 remaining. Norfolk State called a timeout to try a desperation shot, but ultimately could not convert and the Herd pulled off the comeback.
Marshall shot 52.6 percent efficiency to Norfolk State's 39.1 percent. Rebounds were tied at 34 apiece, and each team had 16 points off turnovers. Johnson's 19 led the Herd, followed by a double-double from Ezeigbo (16 points, 12 rebounds), a career-high 12 points from Ashley Lambert (Woodbridge, Va.) and 11 from Scott. Rae Corbo had 37 of the Spartans' 71, followed by 15 from Kayla Roberts.
DANIEL DIALOGUE
Quotes from coach Matt Daniel:
On the comeback win:
"It was a tale of two halves. We were way more mature in the second half than we were in the first half. I'm happy to steal one on the road and have a 6-2 record start. Now, on to West Virginia."
WITH THE WINââ'¬Â¦
- The Herd gained its second win streak of the season (two games)
- The Herd's gained its best record since 2011-12 (6-2)
- The Herd gained a winning record on the road (3-2)
- The Herd remains unbeaten against Norfolk State (2-0)
MILESTONES
- AJ Johnson: career-high six 3-pointers (ties school record)
- Ashley Lambert: career-high 12 points, first double-digit scoring game
- Chukwuka Ezeigbo: second consecutive double-double, third of the season
THE LAST TIME...
- An opposing player scored 30 points: Jerica Coley, FIU, 35 (Feb. 22, 2014)
THE SERIES
Marshall remains unbeaten against Norfolk State (2-0) and earned its first win in Norfolk.
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
The Herd will take on in-state rival West Virginia for the 54th consecutive season in the Chesapeake Energy Capital Classic in Charleston, W.Va., on Saturday at 4 p.m. For all the latest information about Marshall women's basketball, follow @HerdWBB on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---
