 "Photo: Sholten Singer")
Marshall University women’s basketball opened its season Friday night at the Cam Henderson Center with a heartbreaking loss to Appalachian State 63-58.
After pulling a comeback win last season over the Mountaineers, the Herd was hoping to not find itself in the same situation.
Marshall’s poor performance shooting the ball would prove to be the Herd’s downfall.
Marshall’s offense went four of 31 shooting just 12 percent from the field in the first half and 24 percent for the game going 18 of 74.
Sam Ramirez led all scorers on the night with 23 points going three for seven from the three point line and pulling down eight rebounds for Appalachian State.
“We couldn’t make a basket and were very stagnant in the first half,” coach Royce Chadwick said. “I don’t think that in my tenure here we have ever come out and been this cold shooting.”
The first half began with Tynikki Crook scoring the Herd’s first basket. The Herd would only have seven points on the board until six minutes were left in the half.
Sophomore Rashedah Henriques hit two critical three point baskets to keep the Herd in the game before halftime. Henriques scored 11 points on the night after only playing 14 minutes.
“I feel like as a team we didn’t take bad shots, we just didn’t hit them,” Henriques said. “The next game will be a redemption feeling, and we will come out strong for sure.”
The Herd didn’t really get much going in the second half until there were about five minutes left to play.
It seemed every time Marshall made a run the Mountaineers countered with a momentum-busting shot.
A late surge pushed the Herd close when Tania Walters hit a pivotal three pointer with 1:45 to play bring the score to 56-61.
Alyssa Hammond nailed a layup with 1:22 remaining in the contest giving the Herd hope, but it was squashed after Ramirez pulled up hitting a jumper with 16 seconds to go.
Hammond stepped up on the night as the leading scorer for the Herd with 15 points after going 8 for 8 on the free throw line and pulling down 6 rebounds. Senior Chantelle Handy had a slow night as well going 2 of 14 from the field scoring only 6 points.
Sophomore Tania Walters also played a big part in the second half rally scoring eight points on the night.
“It’s not how you start but how you finish,” Chadwick said. “Down the stretch they (seniors) were in the game making us better. I still believe they will be stellar for us this season.
“This game is a character gut check for our team,” Chadwick said. “We have a Big East game coming in here Monday and, after this game if we don’t respond I will be very surprised.”
The Herd will be back in action tonight as it takes on Seton Hall at the Cam Henderson Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Will Selbee can be contacted at selbeejr@marshall.edu
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