Marshall didn’t blink when the game tightened late. The Thundering Herd banked a massive first-half cushion, then withstood South Alabama’s second-half surge to close out an 84-80 win on February 17, 2026.
The difference was built early: Marshall led 48-35 at halftime, giving itself enough margin to absorb a 45-point second half from the Jaguars. South Alabama won the final 20 minutes 45-36, but the first-half damage held up.
Game flow: Marshall’s first half, South Alabama’s finish
This one flipped by halves. Marshall’s offense was the story before the break, stacking 48 points to seize control and force South Alabama into catch-up mode. Coming out of halftime, the Jaguars cranked up the pressure and found 45 points in the second half, trimming the deficit possession by possession.
Still, the math never changed: South Alabama needed to erase the 13-point halftime gap (48-35). Even with the stronger closing stretch, the Jaguars’ rally stopped four points short at the horn.
Turning point: the halftime margin
In a game that ultimately ended as a one-possession contest late, the decisive sequence was the entire first half. Marshall’s 48-35 advantage at intermission created a buffer that proved essential once South Alabama’s offense found rhythm in the second half.
What it means going forward
Marshall entered at 17-10 and added a needed win after a back-and-forth stretch (WLWLW), improving to 18-10 with momentum to stabilize its late-season trajectory. South Alabama, also 17-10 coming in and alternating results recently (LWWWL), falls to 17-11 after coming up just short despite a strong second-half response.
Final score
Marshall 84, South Alabama 80
Scoring by half
Halftime: Marshall 48, South Alabama 35
Second half: South Alabama 45, Marshall 36