21st article at the Independent

PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Marshall drops to Moorhead, 80-52 Chris Drummond cdrummond@marshallindependent.com MARSHALL — After falling to New Ulm in the Big South Conference championship the previous night, the Marshall Tigers boys basketball team looked to bounce back on Saturday against Moorhead. But a strong start helped the Spuds earn a double-digit halftime lead and ultimately win 80-52.

Saturday’s loss was the Tigers’ fourth consecutive loss and sixth out of their last eight games. The Spuds opened the game on a 16-3 run, forcing a Tigers timeout. The fast-paced play of Moorhead included crisp ball movement and timely drives to the basket and gave them a 14-point lead at halftime at 37-23. The Tigers never led in the game and the closest margin they cut the lead to was eight before the Spuds increased their lead. Despite the loss, Marshall coach Travis Carroll assessed his team’s performance in the game and it started with defense. “We had a lot of struggles on defense, giving up 80 points doesn’t result in winning many games,” Carroll said. “We need to contest shooters, we gave them second and third chances in rebounding and we let them drive to the basket for layups. Those are three things that don’t go well together on the defensive end of the floor.” Coach Carroll also elaborated on the losing steak and what message he is delivering to the team to overcome the obstacles they are facing. “Right now we’re facing a pretty big hurdle with how the last few games have gone, the message to the team is the only way to overcome this hurdle is together,” Carroll said. “It’s no one individual that can win a game for us right now, it has to be a group effort. It’s a long season of high and lows, once you hit those obstacles how do you overcome them, it has to be done together as a group.” Tigers guards Noah Wilts and Salman Osman both led the team in scoring with eight points each. Marshall also recognized its seven senior players (Wilts, Cayden Werner, Charlie Jacobson, Evan Franson, Caden Fenger, Khalid Ismail, and Bryant Paulsen) in a ceremony prior to the game.

Sophomore Dylan Zimmerman led the Spuds with a game-high 24 points.

Marshall (14-12) will travel next to Sioux Falls, S.D. to face off against the Sioux Falls Roosevelt on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.

Moorhead 80, Marshall 52

Moorhead 37 43 – 80

Marshall 23 29 – 52

Marshall: Scoring (Wilts 3-15, 0-0 8; Osman 3-6, 0-0 8; Maeyaert 3-8, 0-0 7; Paulsen 2-5, 2-2 6; Jacobson 2-6, 2-2 6; Werner 2-4, 2-2 6; Abdi 2-8, 1-2 5; Elton 2-5, 0-0 4; Fenger 1-3, 0-0 2).

Rebounds: Marshall 34 (Paulsen 8; Elton 6; Jacobson 4; Werner, Graven 3; Ismail, Wilts 2; Abdi, Fenger, Franson, Maeyaert, Osman, Vierstraete 1).

Assists: Marshall 8 (Wilts 4, Paulsen, Jacobson, Osman, Maeyaert 1).

Steals: Marshall 9 (Maeyaert 3, Jacobson, Paulsen 2; Fenger, Osman 1).