Box Score GAME STATISTICS

HUNTINGTON, W.V. – DeAndre Kane poured in 26 points Saturday night while Marshall, the consensus pick to finish second behind national power Memphis in Conference USA, outrebounded Northwestern State by 23 while posting an 83-61 basketball victory over the visiting Demons.
 
The Herd, 3-0 for the first time since 2007, held the Demons (2-2) to 36 percent shooting while outrebounding them 50-27. Shamir Davis (11 points) and Demetrice Jacobs were the only two Demons scoring in double digits, while William Mosley contributed 9 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.


Marshall opened a 43-29 halftime lead on the strength of 12 unanswered points over a three-minute span midway through the first period.  Kane, last year's CUSA Freshman of the Year, scored 7 of the first 9 points in that run.
 
Afterward, Northwestern could get no closer than 10 points.
 
Marshall picked up 13 points by Damier Pitts and 10 from Dennis Tinnon while five Thundering Herd players had at least 6 rebounds. Kane hit 10 of 18 shots and 6 of 9 free throws.
 
The Demons continued to struggle with perimeter and free throw aim. NSU sank only 5 of 19 of its 3-point tries and shot 57 percent from the free throw line.
 
Northwestern did make 11 steals, 3 by Louis Ellis and two from Davis, Patrick Robinson, James Hulbin and O.J. Evans. The Demons blocked 7 shots, with Hulbin and Robinson contributing 2 along with Mosley.  NSU led the nation last year in team blocks with a 7.0 average and is averaging 8.5 this season.
 
The game was the second in a span of three road tests in five days against 2011 postseason teams. After a win Thursday night at 2011 NCAA Tournament entry Alabama State, and Saturday night's defeat to 2011 Collegeinsider.com Tournament participant Marshall, NSU will face 2011 NCAA entry Cincinnati Monday night at 6 CST.