The Herd fell victim to a hot-shooting Western Michigan team that shot 53.1% from the field. Marshall, which never led in the contest, had trouble defending the Broncos in transition after the Thundering Herd’s missed shots. The Broncos’ Rost, sharpshooter Ben Reed, and swing man Stane’s Bufford took advantage of MU’s missed opportunities and quickly turned them into Western Michigan scores. The trio combined for 51 points and a 19-for-36 performance from the floor.
The Broncos jumped on Marshall early in the game, but the Herd responded, and cut an 11-point Western Michigan lead to one on two Casey Wohlleb free throws to make the score 24-23 with 12:59 to go in the first half. It was as close as the Thundering Herd would get, as the Broncos scored 14 out of the next 18 points to push its lead to eleven, and took a 52-35 lead into the half.
In the early goings of the second half, the Herd made a run at the Broncos and cut the Western Michigan lead to 56-49 on a made three-point basket by guard Tre Whitted at the 14:33 mark. However, on the next two Marshall possessions, Bufford grabbed two steals and two subsequent open-court dunks to awaken the University Arena crowd and push the Bronco lead to 11 at 60-49. The Herd would get no closer the rest of the way.
For the game, the Herd shot 39.7% from the floor, compared to 53.1% for the Broncos. Marshall was only 29.2% from beyond-the-arc, and committed 16 turnovers. MU was also out-rebounded, 40-36.
David Anderson led the Herd with a solid performance – 16 points, seven rebounds, both team highs, and one steal. LaVar Carter was the only other Marshall double-figure scorer with ten points.
The Herd returns to action Tuesday evening at Miami (OH). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.