Marshall University Athletics
@HerdWBB Heads to the Queen City to Face 49ers
1/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Game Notes
Live Stats
Video: beIN SPORTS Connect app (Apple)
Video: beIN SPORTS Connect app (Google Play)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Marshall women's basketball team (10-4 overall, 2-1 Conference USA) hits the road to play Charlotte (11-3, 3-0) Saturday at 2 p.m. in Halton Arena.
SCOUTING CHARLOTTE
The 49ers (11-3 overall, 3-0 Conference USA) are the hottest team in the league coming into Saturday's game, sporting an eight-game winning streak. They are led by Grace Hunter's 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, .490 mark from the field (77-for-157) and .423 effort (11-for-26) from 3-point range. Lefty Webster is the team's leader with 73 assists and Laia Raventos boasts 39 steals, while Nyilah Jamison-Myers leads the way with 29 blocks. Ciara Gregory is one of the league's best shooters with 47 3-pointers and has a team-best .920 mark (23-for-25) from the free throw line. The 49ers lead the league in blocked shots (6.4), are second in assists (15.8) and 3-pointers per game (7.6) and rank third in scoring offense (71.1), 3-point field goal percentage (.353), turnover margin (+3.3) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.0). However, they are 12th in rebounding margin (-4.1), defensive rebounding percentage (.635), offensive rebounding percentage (.306) and 13th in rebounding defense (42.7).
MARSHALL IN CONFERENCE USA
The Thundering Herd leads the league in:
Field Goal Percentage Defense: .348
3-Point Field Goal Percentage Defense: .263
Rebounding Offense: 43.8
Rebounding Margin: +6.7
Defensive Rebounds: 28.9
Defensive Rebounding Percentage: .684
3-Point Field Goals Made: 8.0
CAREER-HIGHS
Kiana Evans had a career day in the 73-69 loss at Old Dominion. The Huntington, W.Va. senior netted career-highs in points (24), field goals made (10) and minutes (37) during the contest.
STREAKING
The Thundering Herd has multiple statistical streaks when compared to the opposition's output (greater than or equal to). See below:
Second-half scoring: 6 straight games
Field goals made: 6
3-pointers made: 6
3-point percentage: 6
Assists: 6
Blocks: 6
Steals: 5
ALL FOUR
Marshall has not been outscored in any quarter this season. The totals are below:
First quarter: 286-192
Second quarter: 235-218
Third quarter: 267-212
Fourth quarter: 262-217
IRONWOMAN
Hamilton has been extremely durable and dependable during her season and a half with the program. Not only has she played in all 47 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 14.9 per game. That total has helped the Thundering Herd tally more second chance points than the opposition in six of its last seven games.
AKERS STEPS UP
Marshall's Taylor Porter has missed the last six games due to injury but fellow junior McKenzie Akers has stepped up in her absence. She has averaged 10.3 points per game during that stretch and has hit double-digits in five of those six contests. In the last six, she has connected on 17-for-41 (.415) from 3-point range and sports a 19 to 4 assist-to-turnover ratio. For her career, she 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.
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.
STINGY DEFENSE
The Thundering Herd leads the league in field goal percentage defense (.348), 3-point field goal percentage defense (.263), defensive rebounds (28.9) and defensive rebounding percentage (.684). 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 one game this season (Maine-Fort Kent) and leads Conference USA with 2.5 per contest, while ranking second in offensive rebounds (4.2). She also leads the team in total rebounds with 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 second on the Herd (and 10th n C-USA) with 7.2 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.
