HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marvin Black (Cleveland, Ohio) chipped in 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds, his ninth double-double of the season, to lead Marshall over the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 78-59, in the first round of the Mid-American Conference tournament Monday night at the Cam Henderson Center. It marks the fifth time in five years Marshall has advanced to Cleveland for the MAC Quarterfinals.

Black was one of four Herd players to tally double figures in the win. A.W. Hamilton (Georgetown, Ky.) scored 16 points, while Enoch Bunch (Nashville, Tenn.) and Ronny Dawn (Fort Thomas, Ky.) did their part on the perimeter, pouring in 11 and 12 points, respectively.

Marshall’s first half was their best shooting performance of the season, allowing the Herd to build a 13-point lead at halftime, 46-33. MU shot 62.5% from the floor, and got big first halves from Hamilton and Black, who scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the first stanza. Marshall grabbed the lead at the 17:04 mark in the first half on a Black jumper, and never relinquished it the rest of the way.

Eastern Michigan got within nine points at 55-46 with 10:25 to play in regulation, but Tre Whitted (Wilmington, N.C.) had a one-handed tip back on a LaVar Carter (Louisville, Ky.) miss to push Marshall’s lead back to double-digits, and Ronny Dawn swished a three-pointer a minute later to give the Herd the momentum they would use to cruise to victory.

The Herd outrebounded the Eagles, 43-29, in the game, including a 30-17 margin in the second half. Marshall was also 73.1% from the free throw line.

Eastern Michigan was led by JaQuan Hart, who scored a game-high 19 points. John Bowler added his MAC-leading 10th double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while James Jackson chipped in 11 points.

Marshall will face Western Michigan Thursday evening at the Gund Arena at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now in the Marshall ticket office for $28. Call 1-800-THE-HERD or stop by the ticket office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cam Henderson Center.