Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
12-3,3-0Sun Belt
Coastal Carolina
7-8,0-3Sun Belt
Ilderton’s Heroics Lift Herd Women’s Basketball to New Year’s Day Overtime Win
1/1/2026 7:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Herd makes program-record 18 triples in win
CONWAY, S.C. – Marshall Women's Basketball picked up in 2026 where it left off, winning a thrilling back-and-forth battle at Coastal Carolina for an 87-85 overtime win on New Year's Day. The Herd won seventh straight and improved to 12-3 overall and 3-0 in Sun Belt Conference play, marking its best 15-game start since the 2011-12 season.
"I was really proud of the resilience and the grit," Coach Juli Fulks said. "There were a lot of challenging moments in that game where we could have chosen to fold and they just kept battling. You can find a lot of excuses and be pretty upset when things don't go your way but a lot of credit to this group, they did the complete opposite."
The high-scoring affair featured 13 ties and 24 lead changes before Peyton Ilderton delivered the game-winning steal and layup with one second remaining in overtime.
the steal and bucket for the WIN!! pic.twitter.com/ISlsrRSxn3
— Marshall Women's Basketball (@HerdWBB) January 1, 2026
The decisive play was set up by Ilderton's own spinning layup and foul to tie the game.
COUNT IT!!! pic.twitter.com/vLKwoNK49D
— Marshall Women's Basketball (@HerdWBB) January 1, 2026
The Herd's senior was one of four Marshall players with 17+ points. Olivia Olson led Marshall with 19 points, including six made three-pointers on 12 attempts, and matched a team-high with eight rebounds. Timaya Lewis-Eutsey nearly secured a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Ilderton contributed 17 points, five rebounds and a team-best four steals, none bigger than her swipe and finish in the closing seconds. Meredith Maier added 17 points while sinking five of 11 three-point attempts.
In total, the Herd made 18 triples, a program-record with an additional nine field goals made inside the arc. The hosts made 13 more free throws and MU was outrebounded, 50-43.
Marshall ignited early with five three-pointers in the first quarter, building a 23-18 edge before Coastal Carolina rallied to tie the game at halftime. The teams traded blows in the second half, with neither able to pull away. The Chanticleers forced overtime after both teams were unable to convert in the final five seconds. In the extra period, Marshall forced three turnovers in the final minute, including Ilderton's steal and score to seal the win.
Up Next
Marshall continues Sun Belt Conference play Saturday, Jan. 3, at App State. Tipoff in Boone, N.C. is set for 2 p.m.
For all the latest information about Marshall Women's Basketball, follow @HerdWBB on Twitter and @HerdWBB on Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
---HerdZone.com---
