A sold-out crowd and a championship victory gave players a moment they said would stay with them long after their time at Marshall ends. 

“I mean, I just got to play in front of a sold-out crowd and win a WNIT championship,” senior guard Peyton Ilderton. “You’re not going to get that fan base at many other places at this level.”

Marshall defeated Illinois State 66–41 April 4 to win its first Women’s National Invitation Tournament championship, finishing the season with a program-record 28 wins.

More than 5,000 fans packed the non-air-conditioned Cam Henderson Center as the temperature outside climbed to 81 degrees in Huntington. Inside, the heat was stifling, much like The Herd’s defense, which gave the opposition little room to operate. Spectators fanned themselves furiously with signs, many in T-shirts and shorts, searching for relief in the sweltering arena. 

“That was an absolutely amazing crowd,” Marshall head coach Juli Fulks said. “It says a lot about Huntington and Marshall and how they support.”

Marshall set the tone early behind Timaya Lewis-Eutsey, who scored 14 of her 27 points in the first quarter. The Thundering Herd built a 21–10 lead and carried a 31–21 advantage into halftime.

“I just kept attacking, just kept being very aggressive,” Lewis-Eutsey said. “I just knew I should keep going until somebody stopped me.”

The Herd extended its lead with a 12–0 run to open the third quarter and maintained control the rest of the way, holding the Redbirds to 29.2% shooting while limiting Illinois State’s leading scorer Doneelah Washington to zero points.

For the game, Marshall shot 49% from the field and forced 23 turnovers, recording 15 steals.

Lewis-Eutsey finished with 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting and recorded seven steals, earning WNIT Most Valuable Player honors. She was also named to the all-tournament team alongside teammate Timberlynn Yeast.

“We won that physicality battle,” Fulks said. “Our defensive intensity today and the whole tournament’s been excellent.”

Fulks said the team’s preparation contributed to its postseason success.

“They have shown up and been fully engaged in our prep,” she said.

Marshall’s depth showed throughout the game as all 10 players who entered the game scored.

The victory marked a milestone for the program and drew strong community support during Marshall’s championship run under Fulks.

Several fans attending colleges outside the Tri-State area were in town for Easter and took notice of the atmosphere. 

“I was really impressed by the energy that the fans had,” said Ashley Webb, Georgetown College student from Paintsville, Kentucky. “I didn’t expect to see a crowd this big, but they showed up.”

Matthew Clebenger, Transylvania University student from Louisa, Kentucky, who said he was familiar with Fulks from her time at Transylvania, said the game reflected the energy inside the arena.

“It was just really fun to watch,” Clebenger said. “It was a blast watching a blowout for a championship game.”

He added the connection between the team and fans stood out.

“Sports are almost like a big community,” he said. “You can have an actual, real-life connection with them.”

Local fans echoed that connection.

“Totally awesome. It was wild,” Huntington resident Mark Scarberry said.

He said the championship “means a lot to Huntington, West Virginia.”

His son is a Marshall student studying pharmacy and said the team’s resilience defined the season.

“The way they’ve stayed strong all year, they never let up,” he said.

He added the team’s tenacity stood out.

“Their defense was amazing tonight,” the younger Scarberry said.

The championship atmosphere also resonated with visiting Illinois State supporters.

“I appreciated how well Marshall supported their team,” Illinois State alum Lisa Smith said. “It was a fun atmosphere, even being from the visiting team.”

Smith said the experience extended beyond the game itself.

“Everybody has been fantastic, welcoming us and wishing us safe travels home,” she said.

For Marshall’s players, the championship represented years of work.

“I feel like I’m living proof of perseverance,” forward-guard Aarionna Redman said. “Through the ups and downs, I trusted Marshall, and it paid off.”

Redman said the team’s journey was closely tied to Huntington and the greater Marshall community.

“They’ve surrounded us with nothing but love and generosity,” she said. “It’s very amazing that we can give them something.”

Meredith Maier said the trust and chemistry the players built led to their success. 

“We built a culture here,” Maier said. “We’re putting all of what we have in, no matter if it’s a little bit or a lot.”

She said the team’s bond extended beyond basketball.

“We built a sisterhood,” Maier said. “It’s something special here.”

Fulks said the senior class helped establish the foundation for the program’s future.

“This group will be a part of the foundation,” she said. “They’re going to be really hard to replace.”

Confetti rained down and Queen’s “We Are the Champions” played through the arena as the WNIT championship trophy was presented in front of a still-packed crowd, all waiting for the net-cutting ceremony.

Marshall President Brad D. Smith climbed the ladder first, collecting a piece of the net, followed by the players and coaches.

For senior Peyton Ilderton, the celebration marked the end of a journey that began with uncertainty and ended with a championship.

“Coming in as a walk-on, I never knew if I’d get to step on the floor,” Ilderton said. “It’s a wonderful way to go out.”