HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Interstat) — In a high-octane Sun Belt Conference clash that saw both offenses ignite, the Marshall Thundering Herd outlasted the Old Dominion Monarchs 97-88 on Tuesday night at Cam Henderson Center. The victory, secured before a crowd of 4,156, completed a regular-season sweep for Marshall after a narrow two-point win in Norfolk earlier this month.

The game’s defining stretch came late in the first half, transforming a tight contest into a lead the Thundering Herd would never fully relinquish. With Old Dominion’s Ketron Shaw and Jordan Battle keeping the Monarchs within striking distance, Marshall unleashed a decisive 12-2 run over a three-minute span. The surge was spearheaded by Wyatt Fricks, who scored eight points during the burst, including a three-pointer and a powerful dunk assisted by Landen Joseph. That flurry extended a slim 31-29 Marshall lead to 43-31 with just over five minutes remaining before halftime, sending the home team into the break with a 49-42 advantage.

Fricks, coming off a 27-point performance in his last home game, was the engine for Marshall all night. The forward finished with a game-high 28 points, adding three blocks and two assists in 37 minutes. His scoring came in critical waves, repeatedly stifling Old Dominion’s attempts to mount a sustained comeback. He was complemented by a balanced and efficient Marshall attack that saw four other players score in double figures. Landen Joseph contributed 18 points and six assists, while Noah Otshudi and Jalen Speer each added 18 points, with Otshudi also dishing out six assists.

Old Dominion, which fell to 10-20 overall and in conference play, showcased resilience and offensive firepower of its own, particularly from Shaw and Battle. The duo combined for 50 points, keeping the Monarchs within reach throughout the second half. Shaw, a guard from Charlotte, North Carolina, finished with 26 points, while Battle, a Norfolk native, added 24 points and four assists. Center Caelum Swanton-Rodger provided an inside presence with 17 points and two blocks.

The Monarchs chipped away at the deficit after halftime, several times cutting the Marshall lead to single digits. A driving layup by Battle brought Old Dominion to within 80-74 with just under eight minutes to play, prompting a Marshall timeout. Each time the Monarchs threatened, however, the Thundering Herd had an answer, often from Fricks or a timely three-pointer. Joseph and Otshudi connected on key shots from beyond the arc to maintain separation.

Marshall’s offensive execution down the stretch proved the final difference. After a Scottie Hubbard tip-in brought Old Dominion to 93-88 with 51 seconds left, Marshall effectively closed the door. Following a defensive stop, Fricks sealed his standout night with a transition dunk off a feed from Otshudi with 27 seconds remaining, pushing the lead back to seven and extinguishing Old Dominion’s last hopes.

The game was a stark contrast to defensive expectations, as the teams combined for 185 points, far surpassing the pregame over/under line of 160.5. Marshall improved to 19-11 overall and strengthened its position in the Sun Belt standings. The Thundering Herd shot efficiently from the floor, though specific percentages were not immediately available, and capitalized on second-chance opportunities early to build their crucial first-half cushion.

For Old Dominion, the loss continued a difficult season despite the strong individual performances. The Monarchs have now lost three of their last four games. Marshall, meanwhile, has won three of its last four as it heads into the final stretch of the regular season.

According to pregame analytics from Interstat, Marshall was projected with an 82.7% probability to win and entered as a 6.5-point favorite, covering the spread with the nine-point victory.

Marshall will look to carry its momentum into its next game when it hosts Georgia Southern on Friday. Old Dominion will aim to regroup on the road at Georgia State, also on Friday.