The difference in the second half was the Herd offense. Following a defensive battle in the first half, where MU held a .310-.226 shooting advantage, the Herd shot .611 in the second half.
The UAB offense got in its groove over the last five minutes of the first half. The Blazers managed just 11 points in the first 15 minutes of the half, but more than doubled that over the final minutes. A three by Tania Walters with the shot clock running out put Marshall up 24-17, but a 7-2 run by UAB to finish the period made it just a two-point game at the half.
Marshall's defense kept up the intensity in the second half, holding the Blazers without a field goal over the first 4:32 of the second stanza. While the defense did its job, the offense made its run, primarily utilizing the free throw line early on. The Herd's first six points of the half came via the charity stripe.
<-p>After UAB cut the deficit to four, 41-37, the Herd embarked on a 13-4 run to reestablish its double-digit advantage. It was a team effort with five players contributing to the run, led by Tynikki Crook's four points. With four minutes left, Walters knocked down two free throws to put MU up 56-42. Marshall pulled away for the 17-point win.
Keona Brook and Alix Barnette notched 11 points apiece. For Barnette, it marked her fourth straight double-digit outing, a career best. Alyssa Hammond and Tania Walters each scored ten.
Another major factor in the win for the Herd was rebounding. Up 24-22 in that category at the half, MU out-rebounded UAB 20-9 in the second half.
On Sunday, the Herd will return to action, facing Memphis at 3 p.m. Next weekend, the team will play its final two games of the regular season. On Thursday, Marshall will welcome Houston at 7 p.m. before squaring off against Rice on Saturday at 3 p.m. on Senior Day. Both games will take place at the Cam Henderson Center.