— By David Walsh
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — If Marshall women’s coach Juli Fulks wondered how her team would react after Wednesday’s stunning home loss to Troy, it didn’t take long to find out Saturday.
The Thundering Herd, behind first-half three-point shooting from Peyton Ilderton and Meredith Maier and the inside-outside effort of Tamaya Lewis-Eutsey, routed Louisiana, 95-54, in a Sun Belt Conference matinee at Cam Henderson Center.
Maier and Ilderton, West Virginia products, combined for nine of the Herd’s 10 first-half threes on the way to a 47-33 lead at the break. Maier canned five and Ilderton four.
“I was really happy with our response obviously,” Fulks said. “The Troy game I thought was just one of those games that’s heartbreaking. And so how you come back and respond the next day really matters. I gave the players a couple of assignments Thursday morning to come to practice prepared with in terms of everybody’s self-development, making sure that we’re moving forward. We learned some things from that game. So I give my players a lot of credit. One I thought they did a really good job on having great energy that day. Growth mindset.”
9 first half threes between these 2
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/Go5L0gC2Hs
— Marshall Women’s Basketball (@HerdWBB) January 31, 2026
Louisiana (2-20, 1-11 SBC) once led 8-6 in the first quarter. After that, it was another long day for the Ragin’ Cajuns, who shot 0 for 13 from the field in the third period. Their two points came on two free throws.
Fueled by a 17-0 run, the Herd took complete control with a dominant third and led 69-35 after three.
“Most importantly we came out at the half talking about okay another game, we had good lead and let’s see how long it lasts,” Fulks said. “We had a great third quarter. I thought they did a good job in the fourth. They had a lot of tough shots. They were shots we want people to take and they made them. Overall I thought it was a really good effort from both ends.”
Saturday’s contest was Marshall’s Play4Kay Game to honor the former North Carolina State coach who died from cancer. Ilderton is one of 62 players selected as a Kay Yow Servant Leader or 20-25-26.
Fulks moved Lewis-Eutsey to the high point and she either found players open on the wing or drove to the basket and scored or drew a foul. She made 6-of-11 shots and converted 12-of-15 free throws on the way 24 points. She and Ilderton each had five assists.
“That matters,” Fulks said. “Have her in the high post and they have to come over to cover. Keep the ball out of her hands. Players were wide open and take the shots. Made them. You have to have that.”
Ilderton took pride in the Herd’s effort against the bottom team in the SBC. The Ragin’ Cajuns were the only league team to not have a returning player on the roster this season.
“Respond. It’s written on the board,” Ilderton said. “Have a good second half.”
Marshall (18-6, 9-3 SBC) had a 45-35 edge in rebounds including a 17-11 spread on the offensive glass. Troy outrebounded the Herd, 51-31, with a 23-9 edge on the offensive end.
“The focus for two weeks has been body on body,” Fulks said. “Get every rebound we can. Our goal is to be better every week and be the best team we can be.”
Mikayla Manley led Louisiana with 12 points, making just 6-of-20 shots with no threes in four tries. Amijay Price added 10.
Fulks and her players enjoyed taking part in this special promotion.
“I’ve seen so many important people affected by this,” Fulks said of breast cancer. “For women’s it’s such a reality. I know a list of people in this battle. Anytime you can do something like this, our part in an important cause, it’s important to us.”
“For everybody this is super important,” Ilderton said. “It gives you a new perspective. It’s very important to me. It’s an honor to represent someone.”
Marshall is 4-1 all-time against Louisiana. Marshall, the top 3-point shooting team in the league at 37 percent, went 15-of-41 from behind the arc.
Marshall’s next game is Wednesday against South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. The Herd then sojourns north for its second MAC-SBC Challenge contest. The foe is Central Michigan and the site is McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Mich.