Marshall University’s men’s basketball team is determined to bounce back from a tough 104-78 defeat against Virginia as they prepare to host Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Henderson Center. The game, which will be available for viewing on ESPN+, was rescheduled from its initial 7 p.m. start time to accommodate a Marshall men’s soccer match against Cleveland State in the NCAA Tournament.
After experiencing their first loss of the season, the Thundering Herd’s head coach Cornelius Jackson is eager to see his team apply the lessons learned from the game against Virginia. “We learned a lot and took several things from that game,” Jackson shared, emphasizing the importance of enhancing their strength training program after facing a physically dominant opponent. He also noted missed opportunities in the game’s second half that contributed to their defeat.
Despite the setback, Marshall discovered a promising asset in freshman Landen Joseph, who scored 22 points in the loss, shooting 8 of 11 from the field, including three three-pointers. The Herd boasts a balanced scoring attack with four players averaging double figures: Wyatt Fricks (17.8 points), Matt Van Komen (12.2), Noah Otshudi (11.8), and Jalen Speer (11). Van Komen leads the team in rebounding with an average of eight boards per game.
On the other side, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, currently sitting at 0-6, has faced a series of road challenges, with their most recent contest resulting in a 106-60 loss at SMU. The Golden Lions, under the guidance of eighth-year head coach Solomon Bozeman, have yet to secure a home game until December 15, after playing their first 11 contests away. Despite their struggles, Jackson acknowledges their talent, with standout players Quion Williams (14.8 points), Jaquan Scott (14.2), and Trevon Payton (11.7) all averaging double figures.
“They’ve been in the games,” Jackson noted of UAPB, highlighting that their top players have experience from prominent programs. He stresses the importance of not underestimating the Golden Lions based on their record and the necessity for the Herd to maintain focus and perform at a high level.
As Marshall looks to regain its momentum, fans are hopeful for a strong showing against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, allowing the team to build on their season and continue to develop their promising roster.