Loop lifts Herd to win over USM
Published 2:12 am Monday, March 7, 2016
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Austin Loop’s long jump shot at the buzzer gave Marshall a wild 108-106 victory over Southern Mississippi in a Conference USA regular-season finale Saturday night.
Jon Elmore scored a career-high 36 points for the Thundering Herd (16-15, 12-6), who recovered from a 23-point first-half deficit and sent the game into overtime on James Kelly’s basket off an inbounds pass from Elmore that came with 0.4 on the clock.
The Golden Eagles (5-13, 8-21), whose season came to end because of a self-imposed postseason ban, got a career-high 40 points from Kourtlin Jackson, who made six 3-pointers and 14 of 16 free throws before fouling out with 1:26 left in regulation and Southern Miss leading 93-87. Elmore gave Marshall its first lead since the opening minutes on his layup with 27 seconds left before the Golden Eagles made three free throws prior to Kelly’s game-tying bucket at the buzzer.
Keljin Blevins was called for a charge with eight seconds left in overtime, setting up Loop’s game-winner.
Elmore hit all 15 of his free throws in a game that featured 74 free throws and 57 fouls with five players disqualified. Kelly added 24 points and 12 rebounds, becoming the second player in Marshall history have 600 points and 300 rebounds in a single season. Russell Lee did it twice (1970-71, 1971-72).
The Eagles hit half of their 30 3-point attempts and outrebounded Marshall 47-29 but had 22 turnovers to the Herd’s six, which led to 37 points.
Southern Miss coach Doc Sadler was tossed after his second technical with five minutes left in the second half.
The victory gave Marshall a double bye into the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.