March 7, 2008

Box Score

Notes

Quotes

ORLANDO, Fla. - Marshall's Kizzy Hart hit the game winning jumper with 1.3 seconds remaining in overtime to give sixth-seeded Marshall a 71-69 upset win over third-seeded UAB in game six of the 2008 Conference USA Women's Basketball Championship at the UCF Arena in Orlando, Fla. The win propelled the Herd into its first appearance in the C-USA semifinals.

The score was close throughout the second half as each time Marshall looked to pull away, the Blazers would cut into the lead. A pair of clutch free throws by first team All-Conference USA performer Diamond Rogers of UAB tied the game at 64-64 and sent the game into the extra frame.

In overtime, Marshall struck first at the 3:41 mark when Tynikki Crook hit a layup to give her team the edge. The Herd then went up by four, 68-64, on a jumper by Chantelle Handy with 3:03 remaining.

UAB's Fatiha Salaam answered moments later with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one.

With time winding down, Hart was fouled and went to the line and made the second half of a two shot foul to give her team a 69-67 lead.

Rogers was then fouled by Handy on the ensuing possession and the senior made both of her throws from the charity stripe to knot the score at 69-69.

Hart then took the inbounds pass and drove the length of the floor to hit the game winner.

The Herd had four players notch double figures, led by Hart's 18 points. She also chipped in with seven rebounds and four assists. Crook notched a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while Alyssa Hammond also had 13 points. Casey Baker tallied 12 points.

Marshall finished with a solid rebounding advantage, 49-40, including 19-9 on the offensive glass.

Britney Jones scored 17 for the Blazers and added four assists.

Marshall led by just two at the half, 26-24, as neither team could muster much offense. UAB shot 31 percent and Marshall shot just 29 percent.

The overtime game was just the sixth in C-USA Women's Basketball Championship history and the third to take place in the quarterfinal round.

UAB closes out its season with a 14-16 mark. Marshall advances to Saturday's first semifinal game with the win. The Herd (17-15) will face No. 2 SMU at 3 p.m. EST on CSTV.