CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Damier Pitts tied a career high with 25 points and Marshall nearly blew a 24-point lead before holding off No. 21 West Virginia 75-71 on Wednesday night.
Marshall (13-5) broke a four-game losing streak to its cross-state rival.
West Virginia (12-5) couldn’t dig out of a hole it created by getting into early foul trouble and going more than 11 minutes without a field goal spanning both halves.
By then, Marshall’s guard-oriented offense under first-year coach Tom Herrion had built a 47-23 lead before the taller Mountaineers mounted a comeback, getting as close as 72-69 in the final minute.
Redshirt freshman DeAndre Kane added 18 points for Marshall.
Casey Mitchell led West Virginia with 18 points, while John Flowers added 16 and Joe Mazzulla and Truck Bryant scored 10 apiece.
