The Marshall University women’s basketball team lost to Old Dominion University Saturday, 77-55, in its second worst conference loss of the season

The road defeat drops the Herd’s record to 16-9 overall and 6-8 in conference play.

Sophomore guard Taylor Porter led the Herd in scoring with 13 points, including three 3-pointers, off the bench.

Freshmen Shayna Gore also scored in double digits as a reserve, totaling 10 points on 4-9 shooting. Staring forwards Tequila Hamilton and Leah Scott scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Those scoring efforts manifested in a Marshall lead early on in the contest. The Herd led by as many as 11 points midway through the second quarter and took a four-point advantage into halftime.

However, Old Dominion smothered the Marshall in the third quarter, as the Monarchs outscored the Herd 28-10. Old Dominion continued its play into the final stanza, scoring 19 points to the Herd’s 11 to attain a 22-point margin of victory.

Following its 34-point first half effort, the Herd scored 21 points after the break as it shot 32 percent and accumulated nine made field goals.

By contrast, Old Dominion shot 53.8 percent in the second half as it scored 47 points.

The Monarchs had two players achieve double-doubles in the win and five players scored in double figures.

Guard Jennie Simms led the team with 22 points to go along with 12 rebounds and six assists. Forward Destinee Young posted 13 points and 10 rebounds.

As a team, Old Dominion dominated Marshall on the boards, where it collected 15 offensive rebounds, which accrued to a 15-2 advantage over the Herd in second-chance points and a 32-22 edge in paint scoring.

The Monarchs’ ability to get to the free throw line also stood out, as it earned 29 free throw attempts to the Herd’s four.

Marshall head coach Matt Daniel said he was well aware of the specific deficiencies of his team in his postgame interview.

“I think we had about three categories that hurt us, especially in the second half,” Daniel said. “Goofy turnovers, giving up too many offensive rebounds and our defense, that must improve, all contributed. They shot 29 free throws to our four. We have to be better in all phases in this league.”

Marshall will be back in action 11:30 a.m. Thursday when it hosts the University of Alabama at Birmingham at the Cam Henderson Center.

The Herd defeated the Blazers, 64-61, Jan. 30 at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.

Scott tied a career-high of 26 points in the win.