The Marshall Thundering Herd Women’s basketball team fell to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders to the Cam Henderson Center Thursday in a 63-71 third-straight loss, blemishing their 8-0 home game record.

The Herd trailed for most of the game with only tying four times and making seven lead changes throughout the competition. The Herd played aggressive from the start, winning the tip-off and scoring the first two points of the game before the Blue Raiders took the lead with a three-point shot by guard Ty Petty. Marshall took the lead one last time with a shot by forward Khadijia Brooks and keep their lead until half way through the quarter.

By the second quarter, Middle Tennessee became more aggressive. The Blue Raiders made seven of the 10 possible points at the free throw line as a result.  The Herd would only take the lead one time after a free-throw by forward Kiana Evans gave them a one point lead. Marshall quickly lost their lead and end the first half trailing 30-35.

The second half brought out even more fight from both teams. In the third quarter, Middle Tennessee started strong in the first four minutes before the Herd took over and held their largest lead for four minutes. The Herd ultimately trailed 49-51 going into the fourth period.

In the fourth quarter, Middle Tennessee maintained their lead throughout, as they continued to increase the lead for almost three and half minutes. The Herd tried to catch up, keeping within striking distance until the 3:57 mark. Middle Tennessee’s eight shot lead in three-pointers kept the Herd back. The Herd ended the game with a three-point shot made by Gore before both teams called their last timeouts and ran down the game’s last seven seconds.

“Tonight just didn’t go our way,” head coach Matt Daniel said. “We didn’t make a break, we couldn’t catch a break.”

Gore led the team’s highs with 25 points and 4 assists, while Khadaijia Brooks had the highest number of rebounds with 10.

“I don’t think we’ll hold our heads down with this one,” Gore said. “We know we played hard, coach praised us in the locker room that we played hard, so it just gives us momentum for the next one.”

With the Herd’s loss they now have a 10-6 season and 2-3 in Conference USA. They face off with the UAB Blazers back at the Cam Henderson Center Jan 14. Tip off is set for 1:00 p.m.

Kaitlyn Shouse can be contacted at [email protected].