Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Norfolk State
@HerdWBB Holds Off Norfolk State, 81-67
12/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Box Score
Coach Daniel Press Conference
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall women's basketball won a hard fought game on Sunday, Dec. 20 inside the Cam Henderson Center as it held off Norfolk State, 81-67.
The Herd improves to 8-1, while Norfolk State falls to 0-9.
"I knew it was going to be a tough game," Herd Coach Matt Daniel said. "They have a young team. This was a good test for us."
Leading the way for Marshall was six players that scored in double-figures. This is the first time it has happened all year and last occurred against Brescia on Dec. 22, 2014. Talequia Hamilton (Huntington, W.Va.) paced the way for the Herd with a team high 17 points and eight rebounds. Leah Scott (Detroit, Mich.) had 15 points, while Norrisha Victrum (Columbia, S.C.) followed up with 13 points and seven assists. Shayna Gore (Logan, W.Va.) recorded 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kiana Evans (Huntington, W.Va.) and Chelsey Romero (Hampton, Va.) each had 10.
The first quarter of play was very back-and-forth, as neither team held a lead larger than six points. At the 5:00 mark, Marshall took a 15-9 lead off an Evans' 3-point field goal. The lead wouldn't last long as Norfolk went on to score the next seven points to take a 16-15 lead over the Herd. From there, the two teams battled, but the Spartans would close out the period with a 3-pointer to take a 25-21 lead.
The Herd were able to fight back into the game and tie it at 25 and 27 and eventually take the lead at the 5:43 mark with a free throw from Romero. After losing the lead for a brief moment, Marshall regained the lead at 4:23 and would hold on till the end of the half. The Herd went on a 10-5 run to finish the half as it led 41-35. To finish the half, Victrum had a game high seven assists, while the Herd had four players with eight points.
Marshall continued to control the tempo of the game in the third quarter by leading wire-to-wire. The Herd opened the quarter on a four-point run that included three points from Hamilton and one from Scott. Marshall kept the pressure on by taking its largest lead of the game at 3:21 mark off a Scott layup that put MU up by 10 (54-44). The Herd was able to push its lead to 15 with 47 seconds left in the quarter off a Gore 3-pointer. Marshall finished the third with a 63-50 lead over the Spartans.
The Herd struggled for most of the fourth quarter scoring four quick points but then going on a four-minute drought. Norfolk State closed the gap to four points but then Marshall started to build the lead back out by converting on free throw opportunities. Victrum scored eight of her 13 points in the final 2:26 of the quarter.
"We found a way to win," Coach Daniel said. "We shared the ball well (18 assists on 29 baskets), it's about reading the right play and getting good experience.
"Tough teams stay focused. I think our youth and inexperience led to fatigued play today. We're going to prep tomorrow for West Virginia Tech and be ready for the short turnaround Tuesday."
Leah Scott is now 12 points away from hitting the 1,000 point plateau.
Up Next, Marshall welcomes WVU Tech to the Cam Henderson Center on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at Noon.
