Sykes leads Marshall past Young

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:44AM

Keifer Sykes has a glowing resume playing basketball at Marshall. But there was one nagging piece that left to be fulfilled.

"I'd never beaten Young in my high school career, and it was definitely a senior goal to beat them," Sykes said.

The dynamic Wisconsin-Green Bay-bound Sykes scored a career-high 35 points and hit a beautiful, high arcing-floater off the glass with just under four seconds remaining to lead the host Commandos to the 64-62 thriller over the No. 9 Dolphins Tuesday.

Sykes' game-winner was set up by Korbin McClain's strip and steal with just over 10 seconds remaining. His dramatic shot capped a riveting fourth quarter that featured five ties and six lead changes. He did not celebrate his shot immediately. "I had to get back on defense and make sure they didn't get a shot off to beat us," he said.

Having expended all of its time outs, Young in bounded the ball though could not generate a shot before the final buzzer.

"I was supposed to go behind a triple screen, but Young came out differently, and they covered me man to man," Sykes said. "I went baseline, but they cut me off, so I just went back and I just spun through."

Sykes and Marshall's smaller, quicker band took advantage of Young's unusual situation. The Dolphins played yesterday in Dayton and did not return to Chicago until Tuesday morning. Young coach Tyrone Slaughter said they tried to have the game moved to a different date, but "it could not be moved."

The fleet and relentless Commandos (11-7, 5-2 Red-West) bolted from the gate, scoring the game's opening seven points. They forced eight Young turnovers in the first quarter, and a staggering 27 for the game.

Sykes scored 13 points in the first half. He scored seven points in the opening minutes of the third quarter that swelled the Commandos' advantage to 39-31. Young (10-6, 4-2) answered with a 15-2 burst. Senior star forward Sam Thompson (12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals) scored on a putback for his team's largest lead at 46-41.

Sykes hit a runner at the third quarter buzzer to set the stage for the electrifying finish. He added six rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Sophomore center Tommy Hamilton Jr. led the Dolphins with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. Senior guard Kwai Pearson added 13 points. Senior forward Luke Hager scored seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter. His steal and dunk gave the Dolphins their final lead at 62-61 with 49 seconds remaining.

Marshall's Tywon Kelly split two free throws for the game's final tie. Marlon Sykes added eight points for the Commandos.

"We knew Sykes was a good player," Slaughter said. "We tried to get some things done at the end, and it just didn't work out. For us to play two games in less than 24 hours, I'm very proud of my kids' effort."

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