With under 12 minutes remaining and the score tied at 45, the Pirates (5-1) finished the game on a 28-7 run to take the win. The SHU defense held Marshall (5-2) to just two points over the final seven minutes of the game.
The complexion of the game changed at the charity stripe as Seton Hall shot 28 free throws in the second half to just ten by Marshall, but rebounding was the story early on as Seton Hall took control at the start. The Pirates out-rebounded the Herd, 42-33, in the contest. Still, Marshall led at the half 33-30, thanks to Marshall's defense to end the half. After allowing the Pirates to come up with eight offensive boards in the first eight minutes, Marshall allowed the Pirates just one over the final 12. Rebounding was not the only difference maker for the defense, as it forced the Pirates into 16 first-half turnovers.
The second half began the same way as the first. The Pirates opened up on a 10-2 run over the first three minutes as four players scored. With the score tied at 45-45 with 11:48 remaining, the Pirates went on a 9-1 run, helped by a 7-of-8 stretch from the free throw line. Following a shot by Handy to bring the Herd back within six, 56-50, Seton Hall put the game out of reach, scoring the next 13 to go up 69-50. Following two free throws by Alix Barnette, the Pirates added four more points to complete the 73-52 victory.
Handy led Marshall with nine boards while freshman Rashedah Henriques set a career mark with five rebounds. Marshall shot .317 from the field for the game, but .185 shooting in the second half proved to be the difference as the Pirates shot .474 to close the game. The Pirates were also 30-of-37 from the free throw line.
The Herd will return home on Saturday, Dec. 13, as Marshall's women will host Ohio U. at 3 p.m. at the Cam Henderson Center, part of two straight Saturday doubleheaders in December for the men's and women's teams at Marshall. The men will play UT-Arlington at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, which is the day after fall finals end at Marshall for the student body.