February 2, 2022
Marshall women’s basketball closed out what was otherwise a spectacular January with two rough losses against Middle Tennessee and UAB. As the February schedule begins, Marshall will welcome in the Old Dominion Monarchs and the Charlotte 49ers this weekend.
Savannah Wheeler has moved to 17th all-time in career points at Marshall following the weekend. She closed January with a 31-point performance, giving her an average of 21.1 points per game in the month of January. It is the second highest monthly average of her career, following December of this season.
In the game against UAB, Marshall had three scorers in double digits for the first time since the matchup with FIU. While the Herd was commonly winning when this took place, 8-4 in games with three double-digit scorers, Marshall ultimately fell to UAB due to the Blazers’ ability to outpace Marshall: five players finished in double digits with one finishing at nine.
Marshall allowed 80 points against Middle Tennessee, the highest mark since the game against Michigan State and the highest in C-USA play.
As the Herd looks to bounce back this week, it first lets in Old Dominion. In the last contest a year ago, Marshall took the win 73-68. The Herd trails in the all-time series 4-10. Savannah Wheeler had a then career-high 35 points in that contest, shooting 50% from the field, 57% from three, and 83% from the free throw line. Because of this, it is likely that the Monarchs will bring high pressure against Wheeler.
Enter Aaliyah Dunham. She scored 13 points against UAB, hitting four of her eight three-pointers. It was a career best in makes from behind the arc and was also a season high. While the senior guard hasn’t crossed the 20-point margin yet this season, she has consistently improved her points per game throughout the months, giving her an opportunity to be the leading scorer against Old Dominion if high pressure were to occur.
The Herd fell to fifth in the C-USA East standings following last week. Both Old Dominion and Charlotte are above Marshall in the rankings. Charlotte ranks first. With this upcoming weekend, the Herd has a chance to knock down two of the strongest teams in C-USA, giving it a chance to take the conference if the right things fall. The difference in losses between rank one and five is only two, giving Charlotte a chance to expand a heavy lead and giving other teams a chance to catch up. This weekend may be the most important weekend in terms of how the final standings could shake out.
Marshall’s first game this weekend against Old Dominion this Thursday will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcasted on-air and online on 88.1 WMUL-FM, the official radio home for Herd women’s basketball. Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm.
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