HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University and Ohio University men's basketball teams battle for the Global Sports Invitational's best record on Saturday.

Marshall (3-1) and Ohio (4-0) meet at 7:30 p.m. in the Charleston Civic Center. Both teams are 3-0 in Global Sports Invitational games, an exempt event that is counted as only two games against their NCAA schedule limit of 29 games.

The long-running series between schools only 80 miles apart dates back to 1931. Ohio leads the all-time series, 50-44.

But, first Marshall had some Thanksgiving business to take care of.

Marshall defeated Lamar, 87-74, in a Wednesday night contest at Cam Henderson Center and was back in the gym Thursday morning for practice.

Then, it was off to the home of head coach Donnie Jones to have Thanksgiving dinner.

"My wife (Michelle) gets to do the honors again," Jones said. "We'll be hanging out, watching some football and talking a little Ohio Bobcats."

Jones didn't know how much turkey is needed to fill up hungry student-athletes, but said he would have three or four of the big birds for sure.

Against Lamar (2-4), forward Tyler Wilkerson led Marshall with 18 points and seven blocked shots in a game when the Thundering Herd tied a school record with 13 blocks. Freshman center Hassan Whiteside had 14 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Point guard Damier Pitts also scored 14 while guard Shaq Johnson added 13.

Marshall made 50 percent of its shots and had only 10 turnovers against the Cardinals, a Southland Conference school from Beaumont, Texas.

"This is a growing process for our team and it's nice to grow with a win," Jones said.

When asked for his thoughts on the holiday Jones said he was thankful for his job, being at Marshall and his family.

Wilkerson said he was thankful for his teammates.

Pitts said he was grateful for his family.

AP Video