Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
JMU
Herd Women’s Basketball Set For Sun Belt Conference Home Opener Thursday
1/3/2023 3:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Marshall to host high-powered offenses in JMU and Georgia Southern this weekend
Game Notes | Coach Kemper Presser | Tickets
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - After a thrilling start on the road to open conference play, Marshall women's basketball (9-4, 2-0 Sun Belt) returns home for its inaugural Sun Belt Conference homestand against James Madison.(12-2, 2-0 Sun Belt) and Georgia Southern (9-2, 1-1 Sun Belt)..
"We shift to two really good teams here at home," Marshall Head Coach Tony Kemper said. "If you look at metrics, James Madison is top in our league in the NET. They have won nine in a row, so obviously they are playing well. Georgia Southern is a challenge in that they are the second best scoring team in the country, they play very fast and hit you with different presses and defensive looks, so we will have to be really good on a short flip following JMU."
Game Information
Date: January 5, 2023
Opponent: James Madison
Place: Huntington, West Virginia
Arena: Cam Henderson Center
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: WMUL
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @HerdWBB
PREGAME NOTES
Mahogany Matthews finished the last game with 15 rebounds, the last Herd player with more than 15 rebounds in a game was Ashley Saintigene in 2016. Matthews also scored her 200th point as a member of the Herd with her 15 points.
Roshala Scott scored Marshall's game-winner last Thursday against James Madison. The team leads the SBC in three-pointers made per game (7.6). Roshala's three-point percentage of 44.1% is second in the league.
Marshall's defense ranks first in the Sun Belt in scoring defense, allowing just 55.5 points per game. The Herd defense will be tested with this week's opponents. JMU is third in the league in scoring offense, averaging 71.9 points per game. Georgia Southern is not only first in the conference, but they are also second in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 90.2 points per game.
For in-depth Marshall game notes, view HERE:
ABOUT THE DUKES
JMU enters Thursday's conference contest as one of three teams with a 2-0 conference record. The Dukes control the boards, leading the conference with an 11.8 rebounding margin (10th nationally). JMU also possesses a strong three-point defense, holding opponents to 26.7 shooting behind the arc, also best in the league.
No team enters the second week of Sun Belt play with more wins than James Madison.
The Dukes were picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt Preseason Poll. Senior guard Kiki Jefferson was picked to the preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team. Her 18.4 points per game average is second in the league.
SERIES HISTORY
JMU leads Marshall 5-1 in the all-time series. However, the teams have not played in the 21st century.
Game Information
Date: January 7, 2023
Opponent: Georgia Southern
Place: Huntington, West Virginia
Arena: Cam Henderson Center
Time: 1 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: WMUL
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @HerdWBB
ABOUT THE EAGLES
Georgia Southern enters the second week of the conference season having registered some impressive numbers. The Eagles lead the conference in assists per game (18.1), field goal percentage (46.6), free throw attempts per game (23.9), defensive rebounds per game (33), steals per game (14.2), turnovers forced per game (22.5), and perhaps most notable, scoring offense (91.1 PPG).
Georgia Southern were picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll. Junior guard Terran Ward was picked to the All-Sun Belt First Team. Ward leads the Eagles in points per game (18.4), and rebounds per game (5.5) and is the reigning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week.
The Eagles went 1-1 on the opening weekend of SBC play. with a loss to Texas State, before bouncing back to defeat Arkansas State.
SERIES HISTORY
Marshall and Georgia Southern have met on 16 previous occasions as former Southern Conference foes, with the series tied at eight.
For all the latest information about Marshall women's basketball, follow @HerdWBB on Twitter and Instagram.
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