Topic: Marshall falls on road to Middle Tennessee

[biggreenarms]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Marshall wiped out a 16-point deficit in the second half Saturday and even took a lead, but sputtered down the stretch to lose 83-74 to Middle Tennessee at the Murphy Center. The result stretched the Thundering Herd’s futility in Murfreesboro to five games. More practically, it denied MU the chance to clinch a bye to the quarterfinals in the Conference USA tournament next week. The Blue Raiders (19-9, 11-5) joined the Herd (15-14, 11-5) in a tie for second place. Later Saturday, Louisiana Tech (22-7, 11-5) jumped in by whipping Rice 88-69. Fifth-place Old Dominion (17-12, 10-6) is a game back. Marshall and Tech battle Thursday night at Cam Henderson Center, and then the Herd hosts Southern Miss on Saturday. One win will clinch one of the four bye seeds; two will put the Herd in the No. 2 spot. Meanwhile, Alabama-Birmingham (24-5, 14-2) clinched the regular-season championship and the top seed in the tournament, played in the Blazers’ home city. The Herd was impressive in closing a 56-40 deficit, tying the game at 56 and eventually taking a 63-61 lead, but the Raiders scored the next eight points and then fouled out Ryan Taylor. “It’s like running a mile,” said MU coach Dan D’Antoni. “You start out slow and fall way behind, then you run really hard to catch up and you have nothing at the end. You’ve got to play it all the way through.”

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/20160227/marshall-falls-on-road-to-middle-tennessee