HUNTINGTON, W. Va. — All game long, it appeared Ohio was poised for a big run, one that would put it in front for good and push the team to 5-0 for the first time since 2013.
The run never came.
Ohio couldn't slow down the torrid shooting of Marshall, as it fell 98-88 Wednesday night at the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, West Virginia.
The Bobcats hung around early and into the second half, but as the game reached its final minutes, the Thundering Herd began to pull away. Marshall's quick-strike and fast-paced offense was too much for Ohio, which couldn't keep up with the speed and defensive rotations.
Antonio Campbell led the Bobcats with 31 points, a season-high for any Bobcat, but Campbell was ultimately outdone by the Marshall trio of Ryan Taylor, Jon Elmore and Austin Loop. The three combined for 60 points, overwhelming the Bobcats defensively. Elmore led Marshall with 28 points.
Marshall shot the ball incredibly well from the field, shooting 48.4 percent overall, while the Bobcats struggled from the 3-point line, going just 9-for-29. Marshall shot 41 percent from 3, just under Ohio's percentage from the entire field.
While the Bobcats kept the score within striking distance the entire game, the Thundering Herd led for a staggering 32:15, compared to just 3:36 for the Bobcats. Ohio trailed by just three, 63-60, with 10 minutes left. It would be the closest Ohio got for the duration.
Turnovers, rebounds, assists, fouls and steals were nearly identical for the game, but where the Thundering Herd distanced themselves was in the shooting department.
Ohio trailed at halftime 42-38, but opened the second half on a nine-point run.
Jon Elmore led Marshall with 10 points, while Jordan Dartis led all scorers with 11. Ohio shot 42.4 percent and 33.3 percent from 3, while the Thundering Herd shot 43.8, including 37.5 percent from the field.
The Bobcats had trouble adjusting to the speed of Marshall early on but hung around, at least for the first 20 minutes, with timely stops and a run or two of their own.
Ohio will play its next game at home against Bryant at The Convo on Saturday.
