Final Stats

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Western Carolina men's basketball team played tight with the Thundering Herd of Marshall in the opening half but a 19-2 run by the hosts to open the second half broke open a very competitive game. Marshall would go on to cruise to a 98-63 victory.

The Catamounts shot just 25.6 percent from the field in the second half while Marshall scorched the nets at 53.8 percent in the decisive period.

The loss drops WCU's record to 1-3 while Marshall improved to a perfect 3-0.

Junior Devin Peterson led WCU with 13 points, three assists and four rebounds while senior Deriece Parks added 12 points, three assists and four rebounds. Freshman Onno Steger came off the bench to score 10 points while pulling down three rebounds.

Junior Haboubacar Mutombo came up just shy of a double-double with eight points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Sophomore Marc Gosselin added eight points and four boards while sophomore Elijah Pughsley scored seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Marshall dominated the paint, outscoring WCU 38-14. WCU struggled to get inside launching 40 3-pointers in the contest while connecting on just 11.

The first half was close throughout but a late run extended Marshall's lead to 40-32 at the break. The second half opened with a massive 19-2 run by the Thundering Herd and Marshall never looked back cruising to the 98-63 victory.

The Catamounts will not have much time to dwell on the loss as they travel up to Columbus, Ohio to battle the Buckeyes of Ohio State Monday night at 7 pm.