Chanticleers Hold Off Late Rally, Defeat Marshall 85–83 in Sun Belt Thriller

Game Recap

Coastal Carolina survived a furious Marshall comeback to escape with an 85–83 road win Wednesday night, snapping Marshall’s momentum in Sun Belt play and earning a critical conference victory. The Chanticleers led for much of the contest, controlling tempo early and building a double-digit advantage before holding on in the final minutes as the Thundering Herd made it a one-possession game late.

Coastal Carolina’s efficiency proved to be the difference. The Chanticleers shot 57 percent from the field, repeatedly capitalizing on Marshall defensive breakdowns and finishing through contact. Despite Marshall’s edge in three-point accuracy and offensive rebounding, Coastal’s composure at the free-throw line and ability to score in the paint allowed them to protect the lead down the stretch.

Marshall had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final seconds, but Coastal Carolina’s defense forced a difficult final possession, sealing the narrow win.

Player of the Game

AJ Dancler, Coastal Carolina
Dancler delivered one of his best performances of the season, finishing with 26 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field, 3-of-5 from three, and a perfect 7-of-7 at the free-throw line. His shot-making steadied Coastal Carolina whenever Marshall threatened, and his efficiency was unmatched on the floor.

Joshua Beadle also played a major role for the Chanticleers, matching Dancler with 26 points while adding 7 rebounds, giving Coastal a dominant scoring duo.

Marshall Standouts

Marshall was led by Noah Otshudi, who poured in a game-high 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting, and Jalen Speer, who added 24 points and knocked down four three-pointers. Despite their scoring output, Marshall struggled to consistently get stops when it mattered most.

Turnovers

Turnovers played a decisive role in the outcome.

• Coastal Carolina: 12 turnovers

• Marshall: 6 turnovers

Marshall capitalized with 16 points off turnovers, nearly swinging the game in their favor. However, Coastal offset those mistakes with superior shooting and execution in half-court sets.

Penalties and Tempo

The game was played at a brisk pace, with both teams pushing in transition and attacking early offense. Marshall held the advantage in fast break points (17–12), but Coastal Carolina dominated the interior, scoring 34 points in the paint compared to Marshall’s 26.

Foul trouble did not significantly alter rotations, though Coastal Carolina benefited from their ability to convert at the stripe, shooting 88 percent (15-of-17) from the free-throw line. Marshall struggled in that area, hitting just 63 percent (10-of-16), leaving key points on the floor in a tight game.

What’s Next for Coastal Carolina

The Chanticleers improved to 10–9 overall and 3–4 in Sun Belt play, gaining momentum with a road win against a conference contender. If Coastal can continue shooting at a high level while tightening up ball security, they position themselves as a dangerous matchup moving forward. Their next stretch of conference games will test their depth and consistency, especially against teams that pressure the ball aggressively.

What’s Next for Marshall

Marshall falls to 11–7 overall and 3–3 in the Sun Belt, a disappointing result after controlling key hustle categories like offensive rebounds and steals. The Thundering Herd will look to regroup by emphasizing defensive discipline and free-throw shooting. With scorers like Otshudi and Speer leading the way, Marshall remains a threat—but late-game execution will be a point of emphasis heading into their next conference matchup.