Marshall thunders past FIU 99-81, wins 3rd straight in C-USA

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) James Kelly and Jon Elmore combined for 58 points as Marshall raced away from Florida International 99-81 Saturday night, winning for the seventh time in 10 games after starting the season with six straight losses.

Kelly scored 33 points (his career high is 38) with 15 rebounds, and Elmore poured in a career-high 25 with six 3-pointers as Marshall (7-9) improved to 3-0 in Conference USA. The loss ended FIU's four-game winning streak and dropped the Panthers (8-8) to 2-1 in conference.

Elmore opened the second half hitting three treys on the first four possessions to spur the Thundering Herd to a 54-38 lead less than two minutes in. The win is Marshall's third straight with more than 90 points.

Ryan Taylor scored 15 points with eight assists as Marshall shot 53 percent (31 of 58).

Daviyon Draper scored a career-high 25 points for FIU before fouling out and Donte McGill added 20.