Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Eastern Illinois
Balanced Attack leads @HerdMBB to First Win, 82-76
12/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Double-figure scoring performances from five players, including a team-high 22 points from junior forward Ryan Taylor (Indianapolis) helped Marshall men's basketball (1-6) reach its first win of the season, 82-76, over Eastern Illinois (2-5) on Wednesday night at Cam Henderson Center.
It was Taylor's first 20-point game of the season and the sixth of his career. Redshirt freshman C.J. Burks (Martinsburg, W.Va.) was next with 19 points. Senior forward James Kelly (Ann Arbor, Mich.) posted his second consecutive double-double (the third of his career) with 16 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Junior guard Stevie Browning (Logan, W.Va.) chipped in 11 points and junior Austin Loop (South Webster, Ohio) added 10.
For the Panthers, Trae Anderson poured in 31 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the field. Cornell Johnston dished out eight assists.
The Herd struggled to find its rhythm through the first two minutes of the game as the Panthers took a 7-4 lead. Marshall found the spark it needed to go on a 15-2 run that lasted 5:38 that was sparked by two 3-pointers from Loop.
Midway through the first period, the Herd reached its largest lead of the half (15) after a three from Taylor put the score at 28-13. Eastern Illinois fought its way back into the contest and narrowed the gap to five as Marshall went in to the locker room with the score 42-37.
Both teams shot very well in the first half with Eastern Illinois going 15-of-30 (50 percent) and Marshall 14-of-25 (56 percent). The Herd hit eight shots from the outside.
Marshall came out hot in the second half by taking the ball inside. The Herd scored 12 of its first 19 second-half points in the paint. Taylor and Kelly came alive by driving through the Panther defense.
The Herd held a double-digit lead until 4:37 remaining in the game and dropped as close as four. Marshall held off the furious comeback and helped itself by taking advantage of late free throw opportunities, and ended with the 82-76 win.
Marshall had its best shooting performance of the season at 49.1 percent (28-of-57), while the Panthers shot 45.1 percent (32-of-71). For the first time this year, the Herd outrebounded its opponent (49-31).
MILESTONES
- James Kelly: 14 rebounds (career high), third double-double (second consecutive)
- Ryan Taylor: 22 points (season high)
- J. Burks: 5 rebounds (career high)
UP NEXT
The Herd will stay at home to host Eastern Kentucky on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cam Henderson Center. For the latest information about Marshall men's basketball, follow @HerdMBB on Twitter.
---HerdZone.com---
