Senior Tynikki Crook Honored with Marshall Win Over Southern Miss

Friday, March 4, 2011 - 17:35 by Chris Spencer, HNN Photographer

HUNTINGTON,WV  (HNN) -  Marshall University women's basketball team only senior member Tynikki Crook was honored at the Herd's last home basketball game with Marshall   winning  over Southern Miss 70-57 at Cam Henderson Center on Thursday night.



Marshall led at the intermission 25-21 and continued for the 13 point win in a game that had the scored tied nine times and  had 6  lead changes before the attendance of 294.

Marshall shot 68% (17-25) from the foul line and was 39.3% in field goal shooting.   Southern Miss was 4-7 from the foul line for 57.1% and shot 41.3% in field goal shooting.

 Marshall's Alaya Mitchell led all scorers with 21 points followed by Tynikki Crook with 15 points.   Miss Crook committed  no fouls.   Southern Miss player Tanesh Washington led her team with 17 points. 

 Marshall finishes 9-20 overall and 5-11 in Conference USA as the regular season ends.   Southern Miss  finishes  10-19 overall and 5-11 in Conference USA.   The Conference USA  Tournament starts March 9 and  concludes on March 12.

 For Marshall Head Coach Royce Chadwick the win comes with his players healthy again coming off a season that has been plagued with injuries forcing younger players into other roles.

He said, "We are healthy and we have been mending.   We will go to El Paso and see what we can do in the tournament."

Senior Tynikki Crook is  the Conference USA leading scorer this year averaging 16.2 points per game.   She is fourth in rebounding in Conference USA.

Miss Crook is the 17th player in Marshall history to score 1,000 points and is Marshall's fourth all-time leading scorer.   She is in the  top five in rebounds, blocked shots, field goals made, free throws made and field goals attempted.

Her career high of 32 points came against George Washington earlier this year.   She has been honored has the Conference USA player of the week three times.   Miss Crook is also a two time Conference USA third team member and a two time Conference USA All-Tournament member.   She is in the running for the Conference USA Player of the Year. 

Miss Crook said,  "The fans have been great.   It has been the best four years of my life. "

 After the game a reception was held to honor Miss Crook.   A cake was cut in her honor  with her family, team members and fans gathered around.