Marshall Recap
By Shane Darling, FM88 Sports
Feb. 10, 2025
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. (WMUL-FM) — The Central Michigan Chippewas Women’s Basketball Team (9-13) completed the over seven-hour long bus ride to defeat the Thundering Herd (7-16) on Saturday afternoon.
The game was tight throughout the entire match, having 11 lead changes and being tied 17 times. Furthermore, the game was tied for 22.5% of the matchup, with almost nine minutes of knotted-up action.
Marshall took a three-point lead after the first quarter, but CMU’s Ayanna-Sarai Darrington’s dominance inside allowed the Chippewas to enter the halftime break with a three-point lead of their own, 39-36. Darrington had 15 points in the first half as she went 6/7 from the field and 3/3 from the line. She finished her night with a game-high 22 points and tacked on 12 rebounds to head back home with a double-double after 38 minutes played.
Marshall wreaked havoc in the second half, forcing six Chippewa turnovers before obtaining the largest lead of the game for either team with only 5:12 left in the 4th quarter, 66-57.
Then, the tables completely turned, and the Thundering Herd seemed to have a lid on its basket as Central Michigan stormed back.
Marshall finished the game 0/9 from field, and only made two of its last 15 shot attempts.
The Chippewas got hot, scoring 16 points in the last 5:12, and ended the game on a 6-0 run to defeat the Herd 73-68.
With just over two minutes left, Darrington continued her great night inside with a tip-in to take the lead, and Jess Lawson went 4/4 from the charity stripe to close things out for CMU. Lawson tied Darrington with 22 points and tallied the second double-double of the night for the Chippewas with 14 rebounds, while dishing out four assists as well.
Marshall was led in scoring once again by Aislynn Hayes with 20, with CC Mays finishing with 19. Leyocha Marigney battled inside defensively en route to a six-block night, but it was not enough to complete the win as Central Michigan outrebounded Marshall 57-31. This is not a surprise from the Chippewas, as they outrebound their opponents by an average of 9 per night, and lead the Mid-American Conference in rebounds per game.
Marshall hits the hardwood Thursday as it returns to Sun Belt Conference play against Old Dominion. The Monarchs defeated the Herd 80-75 on Jan. 11, and sits sixth in the conference standings, seven spots above the Herd. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Cam Henderson Center.