In Pensacola, Florida, the Marshall men’s basketball team secured a nail-biting victory on Friday night in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Dezayne Mingo emerged as a star for the Thundering Herd, contributing 19 points and taking charge in leading the team to a close 79-76 win against the Georgia State Panthers. With the win, Marshall, ranked as the No. 5 seed, advanced to the tournament’s quarterfinals, where they will face off against Arkansas State, the No. 4 seed, for a shot at competing against top-seeded South Alabama in the semifinals.
Notably, Obinna Anochili-Killen made a crucial play that determined the game’s outcome, executing a three-point play in the final second. His performance was particularly remarkable in the second half, where he tallied 16 points and delivered four vital blocks. Mingo’s overall contribution to the team was significant, with eight assists and five rebounds in addition to his scoring.
Jalen Speer also offered a strong performance for Marshall, scoring 18 points, including four shots from beyond the arc. In the first half, Speer netted 13 points, yet the team entered halftime slightly behind, trailing 39-34 to Georgia State.
For Georgia State, Jelani Hamilton stood out as the Panthers’ top scorer, putting up an impressive 28 points and securing six rebounds. Zarigue Nutter and Cesare Edwards added valuable support, the former contributing 19 points and three blocks, while Edwards added 15 points and gathered nine rebounds.
With this win, the Thundering Herd showed resilience and determination, pulling off a thrilling comeback to keep their tournament hopes alive. Marshall fans now eagerly await the upcoming match against Arkansas State, hopeful for another victory that could carry their team further in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.