HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — In an exciting matchup on Thursday night, Marshall narrowly edged out James Madison with a score of 80-78, thanks in large part to Jalen Speer’s impressive performance, during which he scored 27 points.

Speer was highly efficient, finishing the game with a shooting percentage of 69.2%, making 9 of his 13 attempts from the field. Remarkably, he was perfect from beyond the three-point line, going 7-for-7, contributing significantly to the Thundering Herd’s (9-8, 2-2 Sun Belt Conference) victory. Mikal Dawson also had a noteworthy game, contributing 17 points on 7 of 16 shooting, including knocking down three 3-pointers, while also securing eight rebounds. Cade Gibbs played a pivotal role as well, scoring 17 points by going 5 for 8 from the floor and 5 for 5 from the free-throw line, while sinking two 3-pointers.

On the other side of the court, Mark Freeman stood out for the Dukes (9-7, 2-2), pouring in an impressive 31 points along with seven rebounds. He was the driving force behind James Madison’s offense, supported by Xavier Brown, who managed to score 12 points and gather seven rebounds. Elijah Hutchins-Everett contributed further by scoring 11 points and pulling down six rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win for the Dukes.

This thrilling encounter showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Marshall stepping up to take the close victory. Each player made significant contributions, demonstrating the intensity of the game and setting the stage for the ongoing season.