Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
3-4,0-0Sun Belt
Florida
6-2,0-0SEC
Marshall Women’s Basketball Surges Past Florida, 91-88
12/2/2023 5:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Team effort earns program’s first Power-Five win since 2016
Box Score | Coach Caldwell Press Conference
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – On Saturday, Marshall fans witnessed the Thundering Herd Women's Basketball team earn one of the program's biggest wins inside Cam Henderson Center as Coach Kim Caldwell's team rallied in the fourth quarter to defeat SEC foe Florida, 91-88, in front of 1,186 fans.
Marshall, who finished the game on a 10-0 run, improved to 3-4 on the season while the Gators fell to 6-2 on the season.
I was really happy with our effort," Coach Caldwell said. "I thought we did a really good job of not quitting when the score was not going our way. I thought we got something from everyone, they were really fun to coach again, so we just got to find a way to do that consistently."
The win is the Herd's first over a Power-Five opponent since Nov. 11, 2016 when the team defeated Illinois.
Marshall got the win on the strength of its defensive pressure late, holding the Gators scoreless over the final 3:28 of action.
Abby Beeman led the way with 24 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds - her third double-double of the season. The Ridgeley, West Virginia native knocked down five 3-pointers in the game, including two on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter to cut into the UF lead and give the Herd momentum for the stretch run.
"No matter who the team was, we really needed this win," Beeman said. "We wanted to protect our home floor, Coach always emphasizes it and we take pride in that. It is a big time win and I think hopefully we will have some momentum going forward."
For the full press conference with Coach Caldwell and Beeman, click HERE.
Beeman's big day was one of several key efforts in the contest. Other players instrumental down the stretch included Breanna Campbell, who scored a season-high 19 points, and Aislynn Hayes, who added three 3-pointers to help with an 18-point effort.
Marshall trailed 88-81 with just over three minutes to play, but a Beeman floater and a fastbreak layup from CC Mays pulled the Herd within three. After a pair of Campbell free throws, the Herd defense held strong with one of a game-high three blocks from Mahogany Matthews. The senior forward finished with 13 points despite being matched up against a pair of 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-4 forwards from Florida.
Marshall sealed its victory with a pair of defensive stops and free throws from Campbell and Beeman.
The Herd outscored Florida 28-16 in the final quarter.
UP NEXT
The Herd gets a week off for finals before hosting Salem on Monday, Dec. 11 from the Cam Henderson Center. Tip will be at 6 p.m.
For all the latest information about Marshall women's basketball, follow @HerdWBB on Twitter and Instagram.
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