Marshall University’s men’s basketball team overtook the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 87-72, Thursday at the Cam Henderson Center.

The 49ers (10-16) defeated the Herd (14-12) Jan. 21 to end Marshall’s then five-game winning streak.

“They kind of whooped up on us the first time,” sophomore guard Jon Elmore said. “We weren’t really focused and the offense was stagnant. I feel like we really came together tonight and got some sweet revenge.”

Elmore, who landed four 3-pointers, was the second leading scorer for the Herd with 14 points and added four rebounds as well.

Along with Elmore’s energy was James Kelly and his dominant aggression.

Senior forward James Kelly was the game’s leading scorer and rebounder with 27 points and 23 boards. Kelly ranks among the top three in points (20.6 per game) and rebounds (9.9 per game) in Conference USA.

While Charlotte senior Joseph Uchebo, who leads the conference with 11.1 rebounds per game, registered 24 points and 21 rebounds in the teams’ first meeting, Marshall held the center to four points and nine rebounds Thursday evening.

“We just tried to stay physical, get him to foul and stay off the glass,” Kelly said.

Senior forward Ryan Taylor fell into foul trouble early in the first quarter and sat out the rest of the first half.

Reappearing in the second half, Taylor gained another personal foul and ended his night with four fouls. The team’s second-leader in points and rebounds registered four points and two rebounds in the team’s win.

“We’re going to talk to him,” Elmore said. “Its been a couple games in a row. He’s a big factor for us, and we have to keep him on the floor more.” 

Marshall takes on Old Dominion University 7 p.m. Saturday at the Cam Henderson Center.

Danielle Wright can be contacted at [email protected].