Marshall University Athletics
@HerdWBB Hosts Middle Tennessee Thursday in the Henderson Center
1/11/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Game Notes
C-USA TV
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall women's basketball team (10-5 overall, 2-2 Conference USA) returns home to face Middle Tennessee (8-6, 3-0) Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Cam Henderson Center. Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs at the arena's concession stand (with the purchase of a game ticket), while supplies last.
SCOUTING MIDDLE TENNESSEE
The Blue Raiders (8-6 overall, 3-0 Conference USA) have won four contests in a row and all five all-time meetings with the Thundering Herd. Middle is powered by the double threat of Alex Johnson (18.1 points per game, 11 blocks) and Ty Petty (15.9 points per game, 70 assists, 26 steals). Gabby Lyon nabs 5.7 rebounds per game and leads the team in field goal percentage (31-for-54, .574). Petty also has a team-high 31 3-pointers, a league-best .923 free throw percentage (48-for-52) and another top league mark in minutes per game (38.8). The Blue Raiders lead the league in rebounding defense (32.4 per game), but give up a league-high .365 clip (81-for-222) behind the 3-point arc.
MARSHALL IN CONFERENCE USA
The Thundering Herd leads the league in:
3-Point Field Goal Percentage Defense: .265
Rebounding Offense: 43.3
Rebounding Margin: +5.8
Defensive Rebounds: 28.5
Defensive Rebounding Percentage: .681
3-Point Field Goals Made: 8.1
HOME SWEET HOME
The Thundering Herd is 8-0 at home this season, where it averages 81.5 points, shooting .467 from the field (237-for-508) and 71-for-197 (.360) from downtown. It also outrebounds the opposition 47.0 to 34.5 and has a staggering 52-9 edge in blocked shots. In fact, Marshall has won 19 consecutive non-conference games in the Cam Henderson Center. Its last loss was a 72-68 setback against Navy on Dec. 29, 2013.
ON PACE
This year's Thundering Herd is on pace to set its best marks under head coach Matt Daniel. Currently, they are:
75.1 points per game (70.5 in 2015-16)
.429 FG% (.426 in 2015-16)
.364 FG% defense (.380 in 2014-15)
.324 3FG% (.315 in 2014-15)
.265 3FG% defense (.294 in 2014-15)
43.3 rebounds (38.4 in 2013-14)
14.8 offensive rebounds (12.7 in 2013-14)
5.9 blocks (4.4 in 2013-14)
1.8 blocks allowed (2.2 in 2012-13)
12.0 assists allowed (13.2 in 2014-15)
STREAKING
The Thundering Herd three multiple statistical streaks when compared to the opposition's output (greater than or equal to). See below:
3-pointers made: 7 straight games
Blocks: 7
Steals: 6
ALL FOUR
Marshall has not been outscored in any quarter this season. The totals are below:
First quarter: 302-221
Second quarter: 255-228
Third quarter: 290-243
Fourth quarter: 280-240
IRONWOMAN
Hamilton has been extremely durable and dependable during her season and a half with the program. Not only has she played in all 48 of Marshall's games during that period, but she has started all of them as well.
SECOND-CHANCE SUCCESS
Much has been made of Marshall's excellent defensive rebounding numbers, but the program has gotten it done on the offensive end as well, ranking third in Conference USA with 14.8 per game. That total has helped the Thundering Herd tally more second chance points than the opposition in six of its last eight games.
AKERS GOES LONG
Marshall junior McKenzie Akers is seventh in the school's record book with 113 3-pointers and is now hunting down former teammate Norrisha Victrum (115, 2013-16) for sixth.
STINGY DEFENSE
The Thundering Herd leads the league in 3-point field goal percentage defense (.265), defensive rebounds (28.5) and defensive rebounding percentage (.681). In Marshall's 10 wins, it has yielded just a .317 shooting percentage (192-for-606) and .230 (51-for-222) from 3-point range and hasn't allowed more than 67 points (Florida A&M). In fact, dating back to last season, Marshall has won 17 straight games when allowing 68 points or less (L at Middle Tennessee, 65-54, 1/28/16).
FRESHMAN INSIDE FORCE
Freshman forward Ashley Saintigene has been a force around the paint, offensively and defensively. Saintigene has recorded a block in all but two games this season (Maine-Fort Kent, at Charlotte) and leads Conference USA with 2.3 per contest, while ranking second in offensive rebounds (4.2). She is also tied for the team lead in rebounding with Khadaijia Brooks at 7.4 per game. The Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., native was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week Dec. 12, Dec. 23 and Jan. 3.
KB WORKING THE GLASS
Sophomore forward Khadaijia Brooks has been working the interior for Marshall in 2016-17. Brooks is tied with Saintigene (and seventh in C-USA) with 7.4 caroms per game. She has recorded at least five boards in all but one contest (Longwood) and grabbed a career-high 12 against Maine-Fort Kent, when she also posted a career-high 22 points.
BLOCK PARTY
The Herd is second in C-USA with 5.9 blocks per game this season and has more blocks than the opposition in all but one game (at North Carolina). Marshall recorded 10 blocks in the season debut at Illinois and followed that with 11 swats versus FIU on Dec. 30. Against the Fighting Illini, redshirt-senior Talequia Hamilton led Marshall with a career-high five rejections. Freshman Ashley Saintigene had three blocks in her Herd debut (all coming in the second quarter).
