CONWAY, S.C. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” For the second consecutive game, Marshall UniversityÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s womenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s basketball team fell behind big and saw a fierce rally fall just short.
The Thundering Herd (9-7 overall, 2-3 Sun Belt Conference) outscored Coastal Carolina 27-14 in the fourth quarter of a 65-61 loss Thursday at the HTC Center.
The Chanticleers (7-9, 2-3) made key free throws down the stretch to hold on.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt was not the night we wanted,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Marshall coach Tony Kemper said.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œObviously, we started really slow and thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s something we have to figure out. We didnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t have a lot of fight in the first half. I was proud that they figured out how to center themselves and they did dig back pretty strong, but thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not good enough. We canÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t get down like we keep doing.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Herd trailed by as many as 23 points, just as it did Saturday in an 83-80 loss to Georgia Southern. Marshall, though, rallied within four on a jumper by Abby Beeman with 1:01 remaining.
Beeman led Marshall with 15 points and seven rebounds. Roshala Scott chipped in 11 points and Shanniah Wright a career-high 10. Wright also grabbed seven rebounds.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSheÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s playing really well and earning more time,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Kemper said of Wright. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œShe was a big spark tonight (in the comeback) and she had some really tough baskets in there.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Coastal Carolina won despite scoring just three points off the bench. Aja Blount led the Chanticleers with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Marshall returns to action at 4 p.m. vs. Old Dominion at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
Tim Stephens is a sports writer with The Herald-Dispatch.
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