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MARSHALL SPORTS
Herd women beat Kent State, 57-50
MarshallÕs Tania Walters dishes off a no-look pass during their game against Kent State on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the Cam Henderson Center.
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HUNTINGTON -- It might not be the prettiest win of Marshall University women's basketball coach Royce Chadwick's career, but Saturday's 57-50 win over Kent State was a beautiful sight for the veteran coach.
Marshall's defense held Kent State to two field goals in the final 12:25 of action in Cam Henderson Center to earn its first win of the season.
"It was a defensive struggle both ways," Chadwick said. "Both teams did an excellent job of playing good defense. It was difficult to get a basket on either end."
Kent State led by six at halftime, but scored just 17 points in the second half as Marshall's defense took over.
The Thundering Herd (1-2) limited Kent State to 27 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes while also scoring 25 points on 21 turnovers by the Golden Flashes in the game.
"We've been winning statistical categories but losing in points," Chadwick said. "You want to win every facet. Tonight, we were fortunate to win those categories and get more points."
Marshall's offense struggled to get the ball inside against Kent State's packed-in zone defense, but Marshall let its own defense turn into instant offense during a 16-3 run midway into the second half that changed the game's complexion.
In that run, the Herd forced several turnovers which led to transition baskets. The end result was four basket-and-foul opportunities that demoralized Kent State (2-1).
Tynikki Crook and Chantelle Handy led the way during the charge, combining for 12 of the 16 points during the run. Crook finished with 13 points and seven rebounds to lead the Herd while Handy had 11 points.
The teams were knotted 43-43 with 9:13 remaining on Handy's 18-footer to start the run. Following that shot, Kent State's defense was forced to step out and Marshall's guards took advantage by getting the ball into Crook for easy baskets.
"In the second half, Chantelle Handy made some plays for her team and every time we got Tynikki Crook a touch, she made something happen for us," Chadwick said.
Marshall jumped out to a 19-13 lead early in the contest before Kent State guard Jena Stutzman came off the bench to provide a spark that gave the Golden Flashes (2-1) a 33-27 halftime lead.
Over the final 7:20 of the first half Stutzman outscored Marshall's team 16-8 by hitting four 3-pointers, including two just 49 seconds apart.
Stutzman, who finished fourth in the nation in 3-point percentage last season, scored the last eight points of the half and hit on 4-of-5 shots from beyond the arc early on.
The going was much tougher in the second half as she had just three points to finish with 19 as Kent State's only double-figure scorer.
"We have an Achilles of one kid getting a career night against us this year. I think she had 16 or 18 at the half coming off the bench," Chadwick said. "We did a better job of adjusting to that in the second half."
Marshall hits the road for the next six games, beginning with a 7 p.m., Tuesday, contest with Ohio at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio.
