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SPORTS
Herd uses depth to run past Bonnies
HUNTINGTON -- Basketball is often called the numbers game because at the end of the day, there are often a set of statistics that show why a particular outcome occurred.
During Marshall's 80-61 win over St. Bonaventure on Saturday afternoon, numbers indeed determined the outcome.
Marshall had them, the Bonnies did not.
While St. Bonaventure played just eight guys in the contest, the Thundering Herd had 10 different players log at least 10 minutes each with only one player (Tyler Wilkerson) eclipsing 30 minutes.
"We talk about one all the time -- one being us as a team. I really don't care who starts," Marshall men's basketball coach Donnie Jones said. "I could trade them out and draw names out of a hat."
The benefits of a deep bench go well beyond the 26 points on the scoreboard that Marshall received on Saturday.
"We had 26 points off the bench tonight just in scoring," Jones said. "That doesn't really count what the guys did defensively or rebounding-wise, giving the starters rest."
From a sideline perspective, depth had everything to do with Marshall's 18-4 run that broke the game open early in the second half.
Each St. Bonaventure starter logged at least 15 minutes in the opening half and the Herd's ability to platoon with regularity took its toll on both ends of the court during the game-deciding run.
Seven different Marshall players scored during the run while defensive intensity on the interior forced the leg-weary Bonnies to settle for outside shots. The end result was a 2-for-19 shooting performance to open the half.
By the time that the Bonnies caught their second wind, Marshall jumped out to a 23-point lead and seized control of the contest.
St. Bonaventure coach Mark Schmidt maintained that depth wasn't the difference.
"They played more guys, but I don't think the reason we lost is because they had more of a bench," Schmidt said. "They played better."
Schmidt's final words were the key to what he was trying to get across with the statement.
Marshall's ability to go 10 deep and still maintain consistency was what had Jones beaming following the game.
"Coach Jones always talks about how we can bring it in those waves," Marshall starting guard Shaq Johnson said. "No matter who comes in, we are still going to have the same energy, same tempo, same everything."
Jones knows that the depth and chemistry that his team has built will be critical heading into conference play, which opens at 7 p.m. on Tuesday against Southern Miss.
"All great teams usually have great benches for them to be able to make long runs in the postseason," Jones said.
