Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
8-5,2-0Sun Belt
South Alabama
7-7,0-2Sun Belt
Herd Wears Down Jaguars to Open SBC Play 2-0
1/4/2024 9:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Marshall outscores South Alabama 51-33 in the second half.
Box Score | Coach Caldwell Press Conference
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The pressure defense and high energy offense continued to make way for the Marshall Thundering Herd (8-5, 2-0 SBC) Thursday evening in front of 999 fans at the Cam Henderson Center. Coach Kim Caldwell's team defeated South Alabama (7-7, 0-2 SBC) going away, 90-64.
Marshall forced 33 South Alabama turnovers, including 17 in the first half, matching the team's total in its win over Southern Miss last Saturday. The Herd converted those takeaways into 41 points.
Coach Caldwell's team collected 12 steals in the first half before heating up offensively in the second half. MU outscored the Jags by 18 after halftime, while shooting 65 percent including 9-of-12 from behind the arc shooting.
"It was good for us to be back home, I thought we got something from everyone," Coach Caldwell said. "[The team] played really hard and so we want to try to keep it going, we have another tough matchup on Saturday."
Abby Beeman led the way with 18 points and a co-leading four rebounds. It was her buzzer beater that ended a defensive first half to put the Herd up eight at the break. The senior guard was the only player in double figures after the first 20 minutes, before her and the team broke it open in the second half.
"Yeah I think the way we play, that's every game, we're used to playing like this for 40 minutes, we have a good bit of subs, but other teams normally keep the same players in," Beeman said. "So as the game goes on, normally it starts getting to their legs and we try to wear them down by continuing to go full-court."
Breanna Campbell led the charge defensively with six steals, including five in the first half. The Largo, Fla. native had 15 points.
"Playing fast and everything and having subs, that is what [the full-court pressure] is designed to do," said Campbell.
For the full press conference with Coach Caldwell, Beeman and Campbell, click HERE.
The Herd has forced at least 20 turnovers in nine of its 13 games played.
UP NEXT
The Herd's weekend homestand continues against Arkansas State on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. Marshall fans can purchase tickets HERE.
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---HerdZone.com---
