Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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December 7, 2009

Marshall declaws Binghamton Bearcats

Wire report

VESTAL, N.Y. — Tyler Wilkerson’s 19 points and five rebounds led Marshall University (6-1) to a road win over Binghamton (3-6) 69-55 on Monday night.

Marshall mounted an 18-3 run in the first half, in which Wilkerson scored eight points.

The Thundering Herd held the Bearcats to seven first half field goals and 32 percent shooting and forced 14 turnovers during the opening frame as the Herd took a 37-20 advantage into halftime.

Binghamton came back in the second half. Moussa Camara’s free throws at 11:52 made it a one-possession game at 43-40. The home team held Marshall without a point for 4:40.

A nip-and-tuck affair followed. With 4:03 remaining and Marshall leading 60-53, MU’s 7-foot forward, Hassan Whiteside, connected on the first three-pointer of his career to give the Herd a 10-point lead.

Shaquille Johnson hit on a pair of free throws with 19 seconds to go for the final 69-55.

Wilkerson went 8-of-12 from the field, dished out a team high three assists and made two steals. Whiteside ended the night with 12 points, five rebounds, and five blocks. Chris Lutz and Dago Pena each scored 11. Pena led the team with four steals.

Marshall forced 19 turnovers and had nine steals.

“My hat’s off to Mark Macon and his staff, I was impressed how hard his team competes,” said Marshall head coach Donnie Jones. “Binghamton has a great building and a great atmosphere. I was proud of our team and how all of our players contributed. We tried to use our press and wear them down. (With that said), we have a lot to learn from. I didn’t think we guarded well in the second half, but we took care of the ball and found a way to win.”

*****

BINGHAMTON (3-6)

Wright 2-8 2-4 6, Jabbi 2-5 0-0 4, Peten 3-5 0-0 7, Talley 4-9 2-3 12, Lukusa 4-5 3-7 12, Camara 0-5 3-4 3, Johnston 0-1 0-0 0, Gray 1-2 0-0 3, Sutton 4-5 0-0 8, Guillaume 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 20-47 10-18 55.

Halftime—Marshall 37-20. 3-Point Goals—Marshall 7-16 (Lutz 3-6, Merthie 1-1, Whiteside 1-1, Miller 1-2, Pena 1-2, Pitts 0-2, Johnson 0-2), Binghamton 5-17 (Talley 2-2, Lukusa 1-1, Gray 1-2, Peten 1-2, Guillaume 0-1, Johnston 0-1, Wright 0-4, Camara 0-4). Fouled Out—Peten. Rebounds—Marshall 29 (Whiteside, Wilkerson 5), Binghamton 32 (Jabbi 8). Assists—Marshall 15 (Pitts, Wilkerson 3), Binghamton 10 (Lukusa 5). Total Fouls—Marshall 19, Binghamton 23. A—2,945.

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