February 9, 2010

RedStorm fall at Marshall

Huntington, WV --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm men's basketball team stepped out of conference on Tuesday night playing its final exhibition game of the season versus NCAA Division I Marshall at the Cam Henderson Center. Marshall blew the game open in the second half and cruised to a 115-73 victory.

Rio Grande (5-19) played well early and kept the pressure on the Thundering Herd. After trailing 22-8, the RedStorm cut the deficit to 26-22 with 9:58 to play in the first half.

Marshall led 53-39 at the half.  

Senior guard P.J. Rase (Wheelersburg, OH) led the RedStorm in scoring with 18 points. Junior guard Doug Campbell (Salisbury, NC) continued his solid play of late as he added 14 points (11 in the first half). Sophomore point guard Brad Cubbie (Dayton, OH) chipped in 11 points and sophomore forward Bud Teer (Cleveland, OH) racked up another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

The Thundering Herd lowered the boom on Rio Grande coming out of the locker room for the second half on the strength of a 17-2 run to push the lead to 67-41 with 17:13 remaining in the game. 

Marshall (17-7) placed seven players in double figures led by Dago Pena with 18 points. Tirrell Baines produced a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds and Chris Lutz added 16 points. Hassan Whiteside had a great all-around game as he scored 15 points, pulled down nine rebounds and had five blocked shots. Antonio Hayman tossed in 13 points. Damier Pitts (11 points) and Shaquille Johnson (10 points) also reached double figures in points. 

Marshall shot over 60 percent from the field (44-of-73), including 9-of-18 (50 percent) from three-point land. 

Rio is now 0-14 all-time against Marshall.

The RedStorm will return to Mid-South Conference play on Thursday with a road trip to Lindsey Wilson College. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. EST following the women's game. Stretch Internet will provide play-by-play coverage beginning at 8:45 p.m.

Rio lost to LWC, 71-58, in the Mid-South Conference opener, January 14 at Rio Grande.