Huntington, WV (Sports Network) - Damier Pitts scored 15 points and dished out
six assists as the Marshall Thundering Herd downed the Houston Cougars, 66-58,
in a Conference USA clash at the Cam Henderson Center.
For the Thundering Herd (17-10, 8-5 C-USA), DeAndre Kane and Dago Pena each
finished with 14 points, while Dennis Tinnon chipped in 10 points and Nigel
Spikes pulled down 10 rebounds.
Leon Gibson led the Cougars (12-14, 4-9) with 17 points while grabbing 11
rebounds, Joseph Young scored 16 points and TaShawn Thomas also posted a
double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Houston shot 44.4 percent to start the game and made all but one of its
eight free-throws. Marshall struggled from the field in the opening period,
making just 31.3 percent from the field and only 2-of-11 from the charity
stripe which allowed the Cougars to take a 31-23 lead into the break.
The Thundering Herd turned it around after intermission, connecting on 57.6
percent of their field goals in the second half. The Cougars did not fare so
well, making only 38.7 percent of their shots from the floor. Marshall opened
the second half with a 16-2 run to take the lead for good. The Thundering Herd
pushed their lead to as many as 21 points as they coasted to their third-
straight victory.
Marshall outscored the Cougars, 38-34, in the paint. Houston finished
the game hitting just 1-of-11 from beyond the three-point arc.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network