HATTIESBURG, Miss. (Interstat) — Marshall built a large early lead and withstood a late push to defeat Southern Mississippi 61-52 in a Conference USA women’s basketball game Thursday night at Reed Green Coliseum.

The Thundering Herd led 31-17 at halftime after holding the Lady Eagles to single-digit scoring in each of the first two quarters. Southern Mississippi outscored Marshall 21-13 in the final period but could not complete the comeback.

Jakayla Johnson led Southern Mississippi with 13 points. Meloney Thames added a game-high 17 points for the Lady Eagles.

Marshall improved to 16-5. Southern Mississippi fell to 11-8. Attendance was 1,343.