Marshall University Athletics
Herd Hits Houston for Meeting with Rice
2/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
GAME 21: MARSHALL (13-7, 5-4 C-USA) AT RICE (7-12, 2-6 C-USA)
Thursday, Feb. 4 | 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT
Houston, Texas | Tudor Fieldhouse (5,750)
| Live Video | Twitter | Game Notes
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall women's basketball (13-7, 5-4) will look to pick up its first win at Rice (7-12, 2-6) at Tudor Fieldhouse when it takes on the Owls at 7 p.m. ET/6 p.m. CT on Thursday in Houston. The Herd has yet to win at Rice in its six previous attempts.
In addition to live tweets from @HerdWBB, live stats and live video streaming will be available through HerdZone.com.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Rice (7-12, 2-6) is coming into Thursday's game having just snapped a six-game losing streak with a 58-55 overtime win over North Texas. The Owls are paced by Christal Porter's 9.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Reem Moussa has a team-high 47 assists, Jasmine Goodwine is tops with 19 blocks and Shani Rainey leads the way with 21 steals. Adaeze Obinnah (.552, 16-29) is the team's top field goal shooter in just 8.9 minutes per game and Maya Hawkins leads the squad with 18 3-pointers on 44 attempts (.409). Hawkins is also just one miss shy of perfect (21 of 22, .955) at the free throw line.
HAVE YOU HERD?
The Herd's ability to make life difficult for the opposition on the perimeter appeared once again against the Lady Techsters. Marshall allowed just seven 3-point attempts in the game, the fewest for a Herd opponent since Presbyterian hoisted just six in a 59-51 MU win on Dec. 1, 2012. It was the fewest in a Herd Conference USA game since UCF attempted just five on Jan. 22, 2012.
A HERD WIN WOULD...
Give Marshall its 14th win of the season and sixth league victory. Both totals are the best in Matt Daniel's two-plus years as head coach.
Snap a two-game losing streak to the Owls and be the first win at Rice in seven tries.
SPREADING THE WEALTH...
Four players have led Marshall in scoring through 20 games this season. They are Leah Scott, AJ Johnson, Norrisha Victrum, Chukwuka Ezeigbo and McKenzie Akers.
DEFENSIVE STANCE
The Herd is at or near the top of Conference USA in several defensive categories: field goal percentage defense (1st, .367), scoring defense (2nd, 59.4), 3-point percentage defense (2nd, .274) and defensive rebounds (3rd, 27.5).
UNDAUNTED
Marshall is the only Conference USA team yet to register a losing streak this season. The Herd is 6-0 in games following a loss.
BLOCK PARTY
The Herd's tandem of senior center Chukwuka Ezeigbo (Trenton, N.J.) and sophomore forward Chelsey Romero (Hampton, Va.) are blocking their way into the Marshall record book. Ezeigbo ranks No. 4 with 109 career blocks, and needs 10 to reach Modupe Ishola's 119 from 2003-07. Romero has 78 at No. 7.
MARSHALL IS UNBEATEN WHEN...
Leading or tied at half (10-0)
Leading or tied with five minutes remaining (10-0)
The game is decided by 21 points or more (3-0)
Playing after a loss (6-0)
THREE-BALLING
AJ Johnson (Silver Spring, Md.) and Norrisha Victrum (Columbia, S.C.) are nearing the top of the Marshall record book in career made 3-pointers. Both rank in the top 10, with Johnson at No. 9 (90) and Victrum rounding out the group (81).
