The secret to the Marshall University women’s basketball team’s early-season success this season could be its schedule. The Herd will play eight of its first 10 games at home and its two road contests are at nearby sites.

Head coach Matt Daniel said the favorable schedule is the most convenient he’s ever had during his coaching career.

“I thought it was important for this young team to be at home where the Herd fans can get to know them,” Daniel said.

Marshall’s two games away from Huntington in its first 10 off short road trips. The Herd defeated Morehead State University in Morehead, Kentucky 104-101 in its opener Friday crossing off one of the two road trips in its first 10 games. The other is a short trek to Charleston as the Herd play West Virginia University in the annual Charleston Capital Classic Dec. 13.

Redshirt junior Talequia Hamilton, a Huntington native, said she recognizes the benefits of playing at or close to home in the season’s early going.

“For me to be able to play a lot of my college ball close to home is special,” Hamilton said. “And since we have so many new players they will be able to adapt and get comfortable playing in a good environment.”

With the Herd not playing conference games until January, Daniel said the schedule in the opening month of the season will present an early challenge.

“There are some tests on our schedule, but we’re playing back-to-back really early in the season, so that’s preparing us for later on,” Daniel said.

Experience and team cohesiveness could also be hurdles for the Herd with just six players on the roster having played a game for Marshall, however, Daniel played down these potential issues.

“All things considered, the team has a pretty good bond and will continue to grow with the more ball they play together,” Daniel said.

The Herd’s next game is 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Cam Henderson Center against the University of Rhode Island.

Marquez Davila can be contacted at [email protected].