Kelly, Elmore Lead @HerdMBB Past FIU, 99-81

Jan. 9, 2016

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Career performances by senior forward James Kelly (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and sophomore point guard Jon Elmore (Charleston, W.Va.) led Marshall men's basketball past a surging FIU team, 99-81, on Saturday night at Cam Henderson Center.

The Thundering Herd improved to 7-9 overall, winning its third consecutive game (its seventh in the last 10) and remaining perfect in Conference USA play (3-0). Marshall halted a four-game win streak for the Panthers, who dropped to 8-8, 2-1.

Kelly led the way for the Herd with 33 points and 15 rebounds, good for his league-leading eighth double-double of the season (third consecutive). It was the second 30-point game of his career, after scoring 38 against Wyoming (Dec. 21). Also in double-figure scoring for the Herd was Elmore with a career-high 25 points, junior forward Ryan Taylor (Indianapolis, Ind.) with 15 and junior guard Stevie Browning (Logan, W.Va.) with 10. Taylor matched his career-high in assists with eight. Kelly went 12-of-19 from the floor, while Elmore was 8-of-13.

The Herd was off and running to begin the game as it connected on its first three shots, all coming from beyond the arc. Kelly had two, while Austin Loop (South Webster, Ohio) added one. From there, Marshall continued to roll as it opened the game to a 26-10 lead at the second media timeout.

MU was able to push its lead to 31-15 with 8:07 remaining in the half, but FIU wouldn't go quietly as it battled back to put the game back to just a single-digit lead for the Herd with 2:52 on the clock (37-28). At the end of the first half, Marshall led 43-34.

Elmore sunk three consecutive 3-pointers to open the second half, widening the gap to 16 points (54-38) at 18:22. From that point, the Herd never surrendered a double-digit lead, going up by as many as 19 (82-63) after an Elmore-to-Kelly dunk at 6:53. Marshall nearly reached the century mark in the final seconds, but settled for the 99-81 victory.

MILESTONES

Jon Elmore: 25 points (career high), six 3-pointers (career high)
James Kelly: 15 rebounds (career high)
Ryan Taylor: eight assists (career high)

THE LAST TIMEÃ¢â'¬Â¦

The Herd began conference play with three or more wins: four games in January 2012, Conference USA under Tom Herrion, vs. UTEP (W, 76-60, Jan. 4), at Rice (W, 63-61, Jan. 7), at UAB (W, 61-59), vs. UCF (W, 65-64, Jan. 14)
The Herd scored 90 or more points in three or more consecutive conference games: four games in February 1996, Southern Conference under Billy Donovan, vs. Jacksonville State (W, 111-90, Feb. 12), vs. Appalachian State (W, 95-64, Feb. 14), at VMI (L, 103-94, Feb. 17), vs. Tennessee State (W, 111-84, Feb. 19)
The Herd scored 90 or more points in three or more consecutive conference wins: three games in January 1995, Southern Conference under Billy Donovan, vs. UT-Chattanooga (W, 95-83, Jan. 7), vs. Appalachian State (W, 93-80, Jan. 14), at VMI (W, 112-87, Jan. 16)

UP NEXT
The Herd will hit the road for four consecutive games, beginning with a Texas swing next week at North Texas (Jan. 14) and Rice (Jan. 16). For the latest information about Marshall men's basketball, follow @HerdMBB on Twitter.

---HerdZone.com---

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Players Mentioned

Stevie Browning

Jon Elmore

James Kelly

Austin Loop

Ryan Taylor

Marshall University Athletics