Marshall advances to semi-finals

Southern Sports & Travel

The Marshall Patriots moved on to the semi-final round with a 49-41 win over a determined Lamar Raiders squad yesterday in Madden at the North AA State Tournament. The third ranked Patriots got 17 points from sophomore guard Jordan Wyke and 16 from junior Taylor Maurey as Marshall fought through a sluggish first half of play.
Lamar broke an early 4-4 tie when Taylor Mabry nailed consecutive 3-pointers to give the Raiders a 10-4 lead at the 5:30 mark of the opening quarter. Marshall pulled to within one point at 12-11 when Caleb Byrd connected on two free throws but Lamar ended the quarter with two Kalab Holcomb free throws and a John Holland basket for a 16-11 advantage.

(Above) Taylor Maurey of Marshall with a fourth quarter basket
Marshall’s Jordan Wyke canned a 3-pointer from the top of the key to start the second quarter and Chase Ferrell’s offensive rebound and put back tied the game at 16-16 at the 6:02 mark. Marshall regained their first lead since the opening basket when Talyor Maurey connected on the front end of a one-and-one to put the Patriots up 17-16. Maurey caught fire as the junior scored 10 straight points and his assist to Jake Omedeo at the 2:10 mark put the Patriots up 28-18. Marshall took a 31-22 lead into the locker-room at the break.
Marshall threatened to blow the game open to start the third quarter as Jordan Wyke drained a 3-pointer from the wing to increase the lead to 34-22 but Lamar rallied with a 9-0 run over the next three minutes to cut the deficit to 34-31. Marshall pushed their lead back to nine at 42-31 on a Taylor Maurey 12 footer and another Wyke 3-pointer to end the third quarter.
Lamar managed to trim the deficit to 42-35 at the 5:40 mark of the final quarter but could get no closer as Marshall grabbed a 49-36 lead on two Maurey free throws with just one minute remaining en-route to a 49-41 win.
Marshall improved to 23-7 with the win and will take on top ranked Hillcrest in the semi-finals. (Above) Lamar's Taylor Mabry is cornered by Taylor Maurey (#24) and Jake Omedeo (#33) of Marshall
Marshall was led by Jordan Wyke with 17 points, Taylor Maurey added 16, Caleb Byrd, Jake Omedeo and Chase Ferrell had 4 each, John Tomlinson 2 and Matt Rappa and Jordan Brock 1.
Taylor Mabry had a game high 18 points to lead Lamar, Allan Massingill had 7, Brooks Holladay 5, John Holland 4, Kalab Holcomb, Daniel Finan and Charlie Nosco 2 apiece and Tyler Harris 1. The Raiders close out the season with a 14-11 mark.
MA...11...20...11...7...49
LA...16....6.....9...10..41