The Marshall University women’s basketball team will face off against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Cam Henderson Center. Marshall is 2-3 in the conference and 12-4 overall, while Charlotte is also 2-3 in conference play and 9-7 overall.

Marshall’s most recent contest was a home matchup against Rice University, which the Herd won 81-52 to secure its largest ever margin of victory in conference play as a member of Conference USA.

Sophomore guard Taylor Porter said the coaches gave the team confidence and energy before the game against Rice. However, Porter said those weren’t the sole reasons for the resounding victory as she credited the coaching staff’s adjustments in practice and before the game as being critical factors as well.

Freshman forward Sheyna Gore also said the team’s energy and effort were essential to the victory, but also said the team executed the game plan well.

The team’s 81 points in the victory was a season-high for the team in conference play.

Heading into the game against Charlotte, Porter said she hopes the team can duplicate its offensive execution from its game against Rice.

Porter also said the team must maintain its energy level, especially in transition defense, where the coaching staff has emphasized getting back to combat the speed and quickness of Charlotte.

Gore said rebounding and the players’ adherence to the coach’s game plan will be other crucial components in the contest.

Christian Hisman can be contacted at [email protected].