Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Purdue Fort Wayne
Defense Leads Herd Women’s Basketball to Third Consecutive Victory
11/22/2022 8:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Marshall comes from behind in fourth quarter to defeat Fort Wayne
Box Score | Coach Kemper Press Conference
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Marshall women's basketball team won a defensive battle Tuesday afternoon, defeating Fort Wayne, 45-39, in the Hostilo Hoops Community Classic. Marshall brought the intensity on the defensive front throughout, holding the Mastodons to 24 percent shooting from the field.
Marshall (3-1) struggled offensively at times as well, but brought its best when the game mattered most. In the final quarter, the Herd shot 7-13 from the field, outscoring its opponent 15-5 to rally for the win.
"It's good to win ugly in basketball," Head Coach Tony Kemper said. "Some nights you have to find ways when you don't play very well, and I certainly think that is the case. Happy to win ugly, we'll take it, and hopefully learn and grow from it."
Both teams played their second game in under 24 hours in Savannah, allowing the Marshall defense to take charge early. The Herd forced four first-quarter turnovers, and held the Fort Wayne (3-3) offense to 12 points. Junior Roshala Scott's seven points pushed the Herd out to a four-point lead heading into the second.
Marshall held the Mastodons scoreless for the first 5:08 of the second. But the Herd would then struggle offensively to end the opening half, being held scoreless for the final 5:15 of the second quarter. The teams went into the break tied at 21 at halftime.
A trying third quarter saw Marshall fall behind by four entering the final quarter. Sophomore forward Samantha LaFon finished a layup to bring Marshall to within one, only for a Mastodon three to give Fort Wayne a 34-30 lead entering the fourth.
Marshall locked down defensively in the fourth. With the Herd trailing 38-36 with just over five minutes remaining, a steal and layup from senior Kia Sivils followed by a block from redshirt-junior Mahogany Matthews turned defense into offense before Abby Beeman's layup gave Coach Kemper's side a lead they would not relinquish at 40-38 with 2:45 to play.
Sivils finished the game with three steals while Matthews had a team-high five blocks. The Herd held Fort Wayne without a field goal over the final 5:13 to finish off the 45-39 victory and go 2-0 at the Hostilo Hoops Classic.
"We have another one tomorrow," Coach Kemper added. "It would be a huge trip if we can find a way to beat Norfolk State tomorrow."
UP NEXT
Marshall finishes the three-day Hostilo Hoops Community Classic by facing Norfolk State at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.
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