\u2014 By David Walsh<\/i><\/p>\n
Marshall worked its comeback magic with a unique lineup to rally from 16 points down in the first half and knock off Appalachian State, 94-93, in Sun Belt Conference action Thursday night at the Holmes Center in Boone, N.C.<\/p>\n
The win moves the Thundering Herd (18-10, 10-5 SBC) into a first-place tie in the league with Troy.<\/p>\n
Marshall staged the comeback with an unusual cast of characters. Coach Corny Jackson turned to Landen Joseph, who made his second start, along with Drew Fuquay, Shamarrie Hugie and Wilson Dubinsky.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Herd battled foul trouble all night and lost Erich Harding to fouls, while Wyatt Fricks missed much of the second half with four fouls. Veteran Jalen Speer made his presence felt as usual, but Noah Otshudi sat most of the second half with reserves helping to get the job done.<\/p>\n Joseph hit a jumper with 12 seconds left to put the Herd ahead, 94-92. Appalachian State\u2019s Jalen Tot was fouled on a shot attempt with 4 seconds remaining. He made the first free throw, but missed the second and the Herd got the rebound and the win to disappoint the crowd off 3,011.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know we have the next-man-up mentality,\u201d Jackson said on radio following the game. \u201cThese guys that played have done this before. We didn\u2019t have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n Jackson noted he and several players are fighting the flu bug.<\/p>\n \u201cErich was puking his guts at halftime,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cI\u2019m under the weather. But we found a way. A lot of guys did big things.\u201d<\/p>\n Joseph racked up a career-high 24 points. He made 9-of-13 shots (3 of 5 from three) and added four assists. One big assist came with 3:28 left when he got the ball to Hugie, who made a three to give Marshall its first lead at 86-84. Marshall made 20-of-29 shots in the second half to 11 of 23 for the Mountaineers.<\/p>\n \u201cHe hit big bucket after big bucket after big bucket,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cWe just got him the ball screen. He\u2019s making the right play. We have to play big down the stretch if we\u2019re going to be a championship team. We\u2019re peaking at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n With the makeshift lineup, the Herd sprung a trap defense in the second half and the Mountaineers didn\u2019t handle it well.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re just a dangerous team in the second half,\u201d Joseph said. \u201cI don\u2019t think they were ready for it because it really startled them. I thought they weren\u2019t comfortable with the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n Fuquay and Joseph hit threes to keep the Herd up by three late. Kasen Jennings connected on a three for the Mountaineers (18-11, 10-6) with 40 seconds left to tie the game at 92 and set the stage for the dramatic finish.<\/p>\n LANDEN ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!? pic.twitter.com\/fAglptwhx9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Marshall Men’s Basketball (@Herd_MBB) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n