Marshall’s Ryan Taylor (25) shoots the ball as a trio of Mountaineers defend during the NCAA menâs basketball game at the Charleston Civic Center, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in Charleston, W.Va.
By Rick McCann
The Herald-Dispatch
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A 10-for-24 free throw shooting performance negates just about anything, which is what Marshall shot Saturday evening.
West Virginia’s (7-4) and Marshall’s (4-6) men’s basketball teams had the same number of field goals Saturday night, and the Capital Classic was basically decided at the foul line. West Virginia won, 74-64, after making 20 of 28 free throws.
The Thundering Herd held the lead for most of the game until West Virginia guard Juwan Staten completed a three-point play with a drive for two and a foul shot with 3:41 left to play, moving the Mountaineers on top, 63-62.
The Herd showed its youthfulness as the Mountaineers stretched it out to the end.
“Well, that’s a crying shame,” Marshall head coach Tom Herrion said. “No disrespect to West Virginia, but we beat ourselves.”