IMAGE GALLERY: Marshall's Women's Basketball Topples Big M

Friday, February 17, 2012 - 23:11 by Chris Spencer, HNN Photographer

HUNTINGTON, WV  (HNN) -  Marshall University women's basketball Coach Royce Chadwick looked like he had a magic formula that he used to bring Marshall from an eight point deficit  at the intermission to a  65-54 win over second ranked Conference USA Memphis, on Wednesday evening at Cam Henderson Center. 


Going as expected during the first period, Memphis led by as much as twelve points. They were leading 30-22 at the end of the first period. 



Memphis was 19-5 and second at 9-2 in Conference USA.  Marshall was 13-11 and 4-7 in Conference USA for ninth place.

Close to everything was going right for Marshall in the second period.    Marshall came back strong to  tie the game at 30-30 with 17:42 left.     Then Marshall continued with strong defense and offense  to take  a 23 point lead of 59-36 with 8:22 left.    That was  an incredible Herd run of 31 points while holding a strong Memphis team to only 6 points.    All that happened in just 11 minutes and 38 seconds.

 Memphis tried to over come the 23 point lead, but it was to late.   With some fouling and some offense Memphis was able to cut the Marshall lead down to 11 as the  time ran out with Marshall winning 65-54.

Coach Royce Chadwick was so excited about the win he brought the whole team in to the press conference instead of the usual two or three players.   A group of girls that was in attendance was also at the press conference.   "I knew we were capable of playing this way all season.   Tonight we got  it going.     This was a total team effort from top  to bottom," Chadwick said.

 Every Marshall player did get some playing time.   Thirty six points came from the bench.  Rashedah Henriques led Marshall scorers with 11 points.  
With the Memphis win a new confidence for Marshall was evident this night.  Afterwards an autograph session ensued with Marshall basktball players signing autographs on backs of shirts and getting  their photos taken with their fans.