Marshall, Ohio roll to league wins

Published 2:15 am Thursday, January 10, 2013

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Elijah Pittman scored 19 points to lead three Marshall players in double figures as the Thundering Herd stormed by Tulsa 79-61 in their Conference USA opener.

D.D. Scarver and DeAndre Kane backed Pittman with 16 points each, with Kane adding seven assists, four rebounds and two steals. Dennis Tinnon added six points and 11 rebounds for Marshall (8-8).

Pittman hit a layup for a 7-6 lead about 4 minutes into the game, and Marshall scored the next 17 points for a 24-6 lead. Tulsa missed 12 field goals during the 8-plus minute run.

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Shaquille Harrison and James Woodard scored 12 points each for Tulsa (9-7, 1-1), and Kauri Black had five of the Golden Hurricane’s 15 steals.

Tulsa forced 20 turnovers, but were clobbered on the boards, 47-32, and shot just 36.5 percent (23 of 63) from the floor. Marshall made 45 percent (27 of 60) of its shots.

Ohio 86, Buffalo 68

ATHENS (AP) — D.J. Cooper scored 21 points and Reggie Keely added 19 to help Ohio beat Buffalo 86-68 Wednesday night in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams.

Cooper made 7 of 9 shots from the field, including a season-high five 3-pointers, and dished out seven assists for Ohio, which is averaging 25 assists over its last five games.

Keely, who hit 6 of 10 shot attempts, converted a season-high seven free throws. His shot from the stripe with 1:52 left in the first half gave Ohio (10-5, 1-0) a 48-31 advantage and Cooper hit a 3-pointer and two free throws to give the Bobcats a 53-31 lead at the break.

Ohio extended its lead to 64-36 on another trey from Cooper.

The Bobcats shot 50.8 percent (32 of 63) from the field and hit 9 of 18 3-point attempts.

Javon McCrea and Jarryn Skeete scored 13 apiece for Buffalo (5-10, 0-1).