In it's first test against a quality opponent this season, Marshall was unable to earn a win, falling at Villanova 80-68.
The Herd was done in by a poor defensive effort, allowing Villanova to shoot 50% from the floor (23-46) and 40.9% (9-22) beyond the three point line. A quality rebounding team, the Wildcats out-muscled Marshall on the boards 37-23. The discrepancy was especially apparent on the offensive end where the home team grabbed nine rebounds compared to the Herd's three.
Taking advantage of Marshall's lack of depth at point guard, Villanova forced the Herd into 17 turnovers. Four of those giveaways belong to DeAndre Kane, who started his second straight game directing the Thundering Herd offense. Overall, it was a poor game for Kane, he was limited to four points, converting two of ten attempts from the field while missing all five of his three points shots. Kane's four points matched a career low set against Binghamton during his freshman season.
Marshall's three starting players in the front court, Nigel Spikes, Robert Goff, and Dennis Tinnon were dominated by their Villanova counterparts. Combined, they only registered 17 points and 13 rebounds. Spikes and Goff were marred in foul trouble, both picked up three personals before the half. Neither player saw over twenty minutes of playing time.
The Herd did receive one standout performance, junior college transfer DD Scarver scored 22 points while converting five of seven three point attempts.
Villanova was lead by freshman point guard Ryan Arcidiacono who scored 20 first half points on his way to a 25 point performance. He also added four rebounds and six assist. Also scoring in double digits, James Bell contributed 19 points along with 15 from Darrun Hillard.
Marshall returns to action next weekend for the 2K Sports Classic benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project at Hofstra University. The Herd will play three games in three days, starting with Friday's 4:30pm tip-off against the University of the District of Columbia (division II). That game proceeds Saturday's contest against 2012 NCAA Tournament participant South Dakota State (Saturday 2:30pm) and Sunday's 3pm start against Hofstra.
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