Tim Marshall made eight three-pointers, tied for the second-highest total in school history, and scored a career-high 26 points to propel a second-half comeback and lead the VMI Keydets past The Citadel Bulldogs, 84-69, in Southern Conference basketball action Sunday in Charleston, S.C.
After VMI (10-16, 6-9 SoCon) trailed by four at the break, The Citadel stretched its lead to as many as 11 early in the second half, at 46-35 with 17:41 to play. Brian Brown made a three-pointer on VMI’s next trip down the floor, however, that launched a stunning 25-8 run that gave the Keydets a six-point lead with just under 10 minutes to go. The Bulldogs (9-16, 4-10) got back within one, but two Marshall triples fueled a 14-4 run that broke the game open with 4:47 left.
In addition to Marshall, who also tied the school record for three-point attempts, Brown had his second consecutive strong night scoring with 20 points and six three-pointers. Phillip Anglade added 15 points and seven rebounds and Julian Eleby chipped in 11 points and Trey Chapman 10 points as VMI downed the Bulldogs for the third time this season.
VMI head coach Duggar Baucom also secured his 150th win at VMI and added to his top spot on the school all-time list for basketball victories.
After shooting just 32.4% in the first half, the Keydets fired away at a 54% clip in the second half (20-37) converted on eight of its last 10 possessions covering the last 6:27 of regulation.
Ashton Moore scored 19 points for The Citadel and played virtually all 40 minutes of the game. Three- point marksman Jake Wright added 12 points including three treys for the Bulldogs.
A packed house of 4,248 including the entire Citadel cadet corps greeted the Keydets in their first visit to McAllister Field House as a Southern Conference member since the 2002-03 season.
VMI rolled to a 10-point lead in the first half following a pair of free throws by Chapman to put the Keydets ahead 25-15 with 7:44 remaining.
The Bulldogs stormed back scoring 12 straight points over the last four minutes of the half. A three-pointer by C.J. Bray knotted the game at 32-32 with 1:54 left and Quinton Marshall’s two free throws followed by a Bray layup pushed The Citadel halftime lead to 36-32.
The Citadel started the second half on a 10-3 run and took its biggest lead on a P.J. Horgan jumper to give the Bulldogs a 46-35 lead at the 17:41 mark. Brown answered 30 seconds later to trigger VMI’s comeback and give the visitors only their second victory in 16 games when trailing at the half this season.
VMI forced 15 turnovers and converted the Bulldog miscues into 22 points.
The Keydets have now shot 49 of 110 (44.5%) from 3-point range over their last three games after hitting just 20 of 85 (23.5%) in the previous two contests. Marshall and Brown have combined for 30 treys over their last two games.
VMI resumes action next Saturday at Western Carolina. Tip-off will be 4:30 pm and the game will be carried by ESPN 3.
VMI HEAD COACH DUGGAR BAUCOM –
“It was a great team effort the way they handled adversity being down by 11. They made every adjustment and made shots. Tim Marshall had another spectacular game. Credit the guys to come on the road and win in this environment, and credit Citadel with the crazy place they made this tonight.”
“We when got down early in the second half we called time out and told our guys to just relax. We just executed better and made a couple of changes in our press and forced some live turnovers and the guys were incredibly active there.”
“Every time Jarid Watson has an opportunity he makes the most of it and he certainly did for us tonight. He had a big rebound in the first half that got us three points and he hit Trey Chapman on a back cut for a layup.”
“They have two players who can certainly beat you. Ashton Moore played 40 minutes and I thought we made him work for his points tonight.”
“We have played five pretty good halves of basketball. To win by 15 on the road is huge. It was a great environment here tonight.”
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