Tinnon, Marshall top UTEP
Published 2:23 am Thursday, January 5, 2012
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Dennis Tinnon posted his seventh double-double of the season as Marshall used two big runs to defeat Texas-El Paso 76-60 Wednesday night in the Conference USA opener for both teams.
Tinnon scored 15 points, 13 in the second half, and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Thundering Herd snap a two-game skid.
Trailing 22-13 with 9:24 to go until halftime, Marshall (10-4) went on an 18-4 run to take a five-point lead at the 3:52 mark.
After the Miners (7-8) got to 33-32, the Thundering Herd used a 17-4 spurt spanning both halves to push the lead into double figures for good.
Shaquille Johnson added 12 points for Marshall, DeAndre Kane and Nigel Spikes had 10 each and Damier Pitts had seven points and six assists.
The Thundering Herd had a 42-23 rebounding advantage.
Julian Washburn led UTEP with 15 points and Jacques Streeter added 12 points and six assists.