MarshallƵs Aislynn Hayes (10), right, takes a jump shot over South AlabamaƵs Tyrielle Williams (7) as the Marshall University womenƵs basketball team takes on South Alabama on Thursday, January 4, 2024, in Huntington.
MarshallƵs Aislynn Hayes (10), right, takes a jump shot over South AlabamaƵs Tyrielle Williams (7) as the Marshall University womenƵs basketball team takes on South Alabama on Thursday, January 4, 2024, in Huntington.
HUNTINGTON Ƶ The Florida game was the turning point for Marshall UniversityƵs womenƵs basketball team last season.
The Thundering Herd would like to see another victory over the Gators spark such a run this season. Marshall (3-4) visits Florida (5-4) at 2 p.m. Sunday.
On Dec. 2, 2023, the Herd was coming off a dismal 67-64 loss at Morehead State and had lost three of its last four. Leading scorer Roshala Scott had been suspended and didnƵt play again after the loss to the Eagles. Southeastern Conference foe Florida and its bevy of 6-footers appeared the last foe Marshall needed.
The Herd, though, pulled off the upset at Cam Henderson Center, winning 91-88 to spark a 23-3 run that resulted in a Sun Belt Conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth.
Last year is last year, but the HerdƵs enthusiasm to play the Gators rates high.
ƵAbsolutely,Ƶ Herd coach Juli Fulks said when asked if her team is excited to play Florida. ƵAny time you get to go play an SEC team, itƵll be really fun. ItƵll be good to go down to Gainesville. We were just in Florida, so itƵll be a fun return.Ƶ
Marshall played in the State Farm WomenƵs Basketball Coaches Ƶsociation Showcase Nov. 21 and 23 in Kissimmee, Florida, losing 74-59 to Penn State and beating Tulsa 84-80.
ƵWeƵre going to go there and play really hard,Ƶ Fulks said. Ƶ(James Madison) just got a win against them there, so thatƵs great for the conference. WeƵre going to go try to be the second team to get a win down there.Ƶ
Aislynn Hayes scored 18 points against the Gators last season. She averages a team-high 18.5 points a game this season. SheƵs backed by Meredith MaierƵs 13.4 points a contest.
Florida is led by 5-foot-9 freshman Liv McGill and her 17 points a game. Ra Shaya Kyle, a 6-6 center, scores 16.4 and 6-foot senior Jeriah Warren 16.0. Kyle scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the Herd last season.
ƵWeƵre going to have to play really well and really disciplined and rebound at a high level to give ourselves a chance,Ƶ Fulks said. ƵThen you just go and see what happens.Ƶ
Fulks said last seasonƵs victory matters, even though the Herd lost three of its top four scorers from that game.
ƵOh, for sure,Ƶ she said. ƵItƵs not insurmountable. I think for us, one of the nice things this year is weƵve played a high-quality schedule to start. Against Penn State, we were right there. If weƵd shot the ball even remotely well in the first half, weƵd have had a chance to get that one.
ƵThey know we can play. They beat them last year. TheyƵre not going to go into a game thinking we donƵt have a chance and we canƵt find a way. IƵm excited for the opportunity.Ƶ
Herd guard Blessing King said she looks forward to the challenge the Gators present.
ƵWeƵre very excited,Ƶ King said. ƵAt the end of the day, itƵs still basketball.Ƶ
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