Marshall secured a hard-fought 81-79 win over Old Dominion, led by Wyatt Fricks' impressive 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Marshall Thundering Herd improved their record to 16-9, while the Old Dominion Monarchs fell to 8-18. Fricks' dominant performance was complemented by Jalen Speer's 18 points and 10 assists, as well as Noah Otshudi's 18 points. Old Dominion's LJ Thomas had a notable game with 18 points and 5 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the visiting team's strong second-half effort, where they outscored the Monarchs 47-32.
Wyatt Fricks' 24 Points and 13 Rebounds Marked His 5th Double-Double of the Season
The Old Dominion Monarchs started strong, taking a 47-34 lead into halftime. However, the Marshall Thundering Herd mounted a comeback in the second half, outscoring Old Dominion 47-32 to take the lead. The game saw several key moments, including a 10-2 run by Marshall midway through the second half, which helped them erase the deficit. The Monarchs' KC Shaw and Caelum Swanton-Rodger contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, but their efforts were ultimately overshadowed by Marshall's balanced attack. With 5 minutes remaining, Marshall held a slim 68-65 lead, and they managed to maintain their advantage despite Old Dominion's late push. The Thundering Herd shot 43.1% from the field, while the Monarchs shot 44.8%, with both teams combining for 160 points.
The top performers for both teams were instrumental in the outcome. For Marshall, Wyatt Fricks' 24 points and 13 rebounds led the way, while Jalen Speer's 18 points and 10 assists were also crucial. Noah Otshudi added 18 points, showcasing the Thundering Herd's depth. On the other side, LJ Thomas paced Old Dominion with 18 points and 5 assists, supported by KC Shaw's 16 points and Caelum Swanton-Rodger's 15 points. These individual efforts were notable, with Fricks' double-double being the most impressive statistic, as he shot 9-17 from the field and grabbed 13 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
Several key statistics stood out here. Marshall outrebounded Old Dominion 38-35, with Fricks accounting for 13 of those boards. The Thundering Herd also shot 7-20 from beyond the arc, while the Monarchs went 6-18 from three-point range. Old Dominion committed 12 turnovers, compared to Marshall's 10, and the visiting team capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 15 points off turnovers. Additionally, Marshall's bench outscored Old Dominion's 15-10, providing a crucial boost in the second half. The Monarchs shot 44.8% from the field, but their 32 second-half points weren't enough to secure the win.
The CHD Scout predicted a Marshall victory by 6 points, and while the actual margin was only 2 points, the model was correct in picking the winner. The predicted score was 74-80 in favor of Marshall, but the actual score was 81-79. This game highlighted the model's ability to identify the superior team, even if the margin of victory was narrower than expected. The model's prediction was based on various factors, including the teams' NET rankings, with Marshall sitting at 140 and Old Dominion at 259. The model's accuracy in this game demonstrates its value in forecasting college basketball outcomes, with an 80% success rate in predicting the winner.
This win improves Marshall's record to 16-9, with a NET ranking of 140. The game was classified as a Quadrant 4 contest for the Thundering Herd, while it was a Quadrant 3 game for Old Dominion. As a result, Marshall's Quad 4 record now stands at 4-6, and they want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games. For Old Dominion, the loss drops their record to 8-18, and they will aim to bounce back from this narrow defeat. The Monarchs' Quad 3 record is now 2-10, and they must secure more wins in this quadrant to bolster their resume. With the NCAA tournament picture starting to take shape, these types of games matters in determining the seeding and selection of teams.
Marshall's next game is scheduled for February 15th, where they will face off against the Charlotte 49ers. Old Dominion want to regroup and prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Florida Atlantic Owls on February 14th. Both teams will be seeking to build on their current momentum, with Marshall aiming to extend their winning streak and Old Dominion looking to snap their losing skid. The Thundering Herd must maintain their strong team defense, which has been a key factor in their success, allowing just 70.5 points per game over their last 5 contests.