Elmore scores 28 to lead Marshall over Hampton 80-78 in CIT

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — Jon Elmore scored 23 of his 28 points in the first half and Marshall held on to beat Hampton 80-78 in the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament on Tuesday night.

Elmore had 23 points, five rebounds and five assists in the first half as Marshall built a 51-38 lead. He was 7 of 12 from the field, including 6 of 9 from distance. Marshall made 11 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes and finished with 13.

Hampton trailed by 13 points early in the second half, but rallied to take its first lead, 65-64, since the 5:52 mark of the first half.

C.J. Burks made a go-ahead transition layup following a steal to give Marshall a 76-74 lead and he added four straight free throws from there to seal it.

Burks scored 10 of Marshall’s final 11 points and finished with 17. Jannson Williams added 12 points for Marshall (22-14), which will host the championship game on Thursday night.

Trevond Barnes had 18 points for the Pirates (18-17). Kalin Fisher added 16 points. Jermaine Marrow had 15 points.