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UTEP
@HerdWBB Tops UTEP in 76-71 Comeback Win
1/24/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EL PASO, Texas - Two performances of 20 or more points helped lift Marshall women's basketball (12-6, 4-3) to a 76-71 comeback win at UTEP (8-8, 3-4) on Thursday at Don Haskins Center.
Junior guard Norrisha Victrum (Columbia, S.C.) led the Herd in scoring for the third consecutive game with a season-high 23 points, followed by 21 from Leah Scott (Detroit). Two Marshall players have not scored 20 or more points in the same game against a Division I opponent since a 78-74 win at Houston on March 1, 2008.
With the win, the Herd earned its best start to Conference USA play since 2008-09, when it went 4-3. Marshall also totaled the most season wins (12) and conference season wins (4) under coach Matt Daniel.
After trailing by as many as 15 in the first half (29-14) and by eight at halftime (41-33), the Thundering Herd used a 14-0 stretch over 4:26 in the second period to pull ahead with 14 minutes remaining. Back-to-back 3-pointers by sophomore McKenzie Akers (Princeton, W.Va.) extended the Herd's first lead, 49-45, with 13:47 left to play.
Down the stretch, with 3:50 remaining, cool free throw shooting gave UTEP its first lead since 15:13 in the second half, 62-61. In the final four minutes, the lead changed five times with three ties. In the final minute, a Victrum long ball and a Scott layup gave the Herd a 74-71 advantage. AJ Johnson (Silver Spring, Md.) sunk two free throws with 14 seconds left to seal the victory, 76-71.
DANIEL DIALOGUE
Quotes from coach Matt Daniel:
On the Herd's resilience:
"I'm really proud of our team's effort today. We had a great lift off the bench. We were really resilient and played with a lot of heart, no matter what was happening on the floor. We played really focused. Ashley Lambert, McKenzie Akers and Chelsey Romero gave us a lot of lift off the bench. I'm glad to be a part of Marshall's first win at UTEP. I'm glad to come away with a split this weekend on the road. On to Southern Miss."
MARSHALL IS UNBEATEN WHENââ'¬Â¦
- Leading or tied with five minutes remaining (11-0)
- Scoring 61 points or more (11-0)
- Shooting 40 percent or better from the floor (10-0)
- Leading or tied at half (10-0)
- Playing after a loss (6-0)
- The game is decided by 21 points or more (3-0)
THE SERIES
The Herd earned its first win against the Miners in El Paso, however, UTEP kept a 7-5 overall lead in the series.
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 return home to host Southern Miss (Jan. 29) and Louisiana Tech (Jan. 31) at Cam Henderson Center. For all the latest information about Marshall women's basketball, follow @HerdWBB on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---
