Marshall Rolls Past Buffalo 92-65 in Season Opener

The Thundering Herd did not waste any time letting folks know this new-look team means business. Marshall opened the 2026-27 men's basketball season Monday night with a 92-65 thumping of Buffalo at the Cam Henderson Center, and it was never really close.

Marshall never trailed. Holding just a two-point edge in the first half, the Herd ripped off a 21-3 run over about seven minutes to turn a tight game into a 45-24 halftime lead. Then they kept their foot on the gas, stretching the lead to as many as 34 in the second half.

Manyuon makes a big first impression

In his first game in a Marshall uniform, Emmanuel Manyuon led the way with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Bryce Slay set a new career high with 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, and his thunderous second-half dunk brought the crowd of 3,517 to its feet. Fazl Oshodi and Noah Otshudi each added 16 points, giving the Herd four players in double figures.

"Today felt great, to get a win in that environment for sure," Slay said after the game, adding that the team was determined to come out and play physical all night.

Defense and depth

The Herd's defense was every bit as impressive as the offense. Buffalo went just 5-of-27 from three-point range, and Marshall won the turnover battle and out-rebounded the Bulls by 10. With 11 newcomers on the roster, depth was a big story too: Marshall's bench outscored Buffalo's 30-5.

Head coach Cornelius "Corny" Jackson liked what he saw, especially on the glass against a bigger Buffalo team that managed just six offensive rebounds.

"I was pleased with our intensity," Jackson said. "We had four guys in double figures... Those stats, those intangible stats show me that they're playing hard."

The win came in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge, and Marshall is now 2-1 all-time in those official challenge games.

What's next for the Herd

Marshall (1-0) stays home for another MAC opponent, hosting Toledo at the Cam Henderson Center on Saturday, Nov. 7, with tipoff set for 2 p.m.

Between the Herd's rout of Buffalo and WVU's big opener against Niagara the same night, it was a pretty good Monday to be a college basketball fan in West Virginia. One down, Herd fans. We are... Marshall!