Commandos on cruise control

No. 22 Marshall used a 31-point first-quarter to run away with an 83-32 Red-West home win over Manley on Tuesday.

"You can take away a team's confidence but you can't lighten up and let them back in," said Commandos' head coach Henry Cotton. "They came ready to practice yesterday and they were ready to play today."

Darius Smith, who led all scorers with 24 points, dropped in 14 points in the first quarter as Marshall (11-5, 5-1) raced out to a 31-10 lead.

The Commandos led 53-15 at halftime and 77-28 after three quarters. Marshall, which had 12 different players score was also led by Vince Garrett (14 points) and Terry Gathings (eight points).

But it was Smith who got things going early on.

"We just wanted to come out and take their confidence from the gate," Smith said. "We're just trying to gel together right now."

Leading the way for Manley (3-10, 0-5) was Pierre Blankley with 16 points.