Charleston, WV (SportsNetwork.com) - The battle for state bragging rights takes place on Sunday, as the 22nd-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers clash with the Marshall Thundering Herd in the Chesapeake Energy Capital Classic. The Mountaineers are again off to an impressive start, posting a mark of 8-1 to this point, with the lone setback coming against LSU 10 days ago by a 74-73 final during the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The squad managed to bounce back last weekend with a 67-42 victory at Northern Kentucky. As for the Thundering Herd, they too started off the 2014-15 campaign with positive results, taking down three straight opponents, although the competition was a bit suspect (Jacksonville State, Savannah State and WVU Tech). Since posting those double-digit wins the team has suffered through a five-game slide, with the latest defeat being a 73-69 setback versus Penn State on Dec.6 at home. Aside from an 85-67 loss to Louisville, a decision that began the teams losing streak, the Herd has played every game thus far at home. West Virginia leads the all-time series by a count of 31-11, with 13 of the last 16 matchups being decided by 10 points or less. The Mountaineers have a mark of 62-20 when playing in the Charleston Civic Center. Marshall had a total of four players score in double figures when the Nittany Lions made an appearance at the Henderson Center just over a week ago, but that was not enough to prevent the teams losing streak from being extended to five games. Jay Johnson came off the bench to produce 19 points, with fellow reserve Tamron Manning tacking on 12 in 22 minutes of action. Starters Ryan Taylor and Aleksa Nikolic accounted for 10 points apiece, and combined for seven of the teams 11 turnovers. One of three players to have started all eight games for the Herd, Taylor is dropping in a team-best 15.3 ppg, is first on the glass with 9.0 rpg and is second with 27 assists, although that last stat compares to 25 turnovers. As a unit, Marshall is shooting only 39.9 percent from the field and 30.3 percent beyond the arc, not to mention 63.3 percent at the free-throw line, although thats still better than the competition which has converted a paltry 55.6 percent at the charity stripe. The Mountaineers led by as many as 26 points late in the second half as they held Northern Kentucky to just 26.5 percent shooting from the floor and 2- of-20 behind the 3-point line, all while forcing 20 turnovers which became 24 points for WVU. Juwan Staten and Devin Williams both tallied 12 points for the Mountaineers, the former also pulling down eight rebounds, handing out four assists and making three steals, while Jonathan Holton tacked on 10 points, five boards and three blocked shots before fouling out. Although he is shooting only 41.1 percent from the field, Staten continues to be the star of the show for the Mountaineers again this season. In addition to his 15.0 ppg he has also handed out 38 assists over nine games, while his 17 steals are second only to Holton (11.6 ppg) who paces the program with 8.0 rpg. West Virginia has found a way to generate a lofty 79.4 ppg while shooting only 29.6 percent beyond the arc and a disappointing 65.4 percent at the free-throw line. Yangervis Solarte Jersey . The visitors missed a host of good chances to win the game, and were left to rue substitute Ivo Ilicevics strike against the crossbar in the 86th minute, when he only had the goalkeeper to beat. Roberto Osuna Jersey . Five straight losses (and six in the past seven) now dot the schedule – matching their longest skid of the year – after they fell again in New Jersey on Sunday night, topped 3-2 by Cory Schneider and the Devils. http://www.officialbluejaysgearshop.com/Blue-Jays-Ja-Happ-Kids-Jersey/ .com) - Calgary Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau has been selected as the NHLs Rookie of the Month for December, the league announced Friday. Paul Molitor Jersey . on the 15-day disabled Monday list because of a strained right hamstring. Dalton Pompey Jersey . Masahiro Tanaka has touched down in the United States and the courting of the Rakuten Golden Eagles stud pitcher has begun in earnest by a bevy of MLB teams interested in the Japanese ace.AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas said Wednesday it has agreed to pay former coach Mack Brown $2.75 million that would have been owed him if he had been fired, and place him in a one-year, $500,000 job as a special assistant to the president for athletics. Both options had been part of Browns original contract in separate clauses in case of termination or resignation. Brown announced on Dec. 14 that he would step down after Texas bowl game and called it a "mutual" decision between himself, school President Bill Powers and athletic director Steve Patterson. He has been replaced by Charlie Strong. Brown had reportedly been negotiating for more money. Texas agreeing to pay Brown his severance buyout and give him the job raised the question whether he was fired or resigned and why he would get both options. "He resigned," Texas spokesman Nick Voinis said. "This is what was agreed to Were honouring his contract." Browns attorney, Joe Jamail, did not immediately return telephone messages seeking comment. The University of Texas System Board of Regents, which approved BBrowns contract and most recently approved an extension in 2012, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.dddddddddddd Brown was under contract through 2020 and was one of the highest-paid coaches in the country at more than $5.4 million per year. But the coach who won the 2005 national championship and played for another in 2009 left after a four-year run that saw the Longhorns lose at least four games every season. The contract included language that allowed Brown to move to "another significant position within the university" at a minimum of $500,000 per year if he "voluntarily relinquishes his duties" as coach. Browns new job will concentrate on fundraising for the nations wealthiest athletic department. The contract also had the $2.75 million termination payment if he was fired before Dec. 31, 2014, to be paid in four equal annual installments. The same section said that if Brown were fired, left for another program or become otherwise unable to do his job, "all obligations" under the contract "shall cease." Wholesale MLB Orioles JerseysRed Sox Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Yankees Jerseys OnlineRays Jerseys For SaleBlue Jays Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB White Sox JerseysIndians Jerseys For SaleTigers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Astros JerseysCheap Baseball Angels JerseysAthletics Jerseys From ChinaMariners Jerseys For SaleCheap Baseball Rangers JerseysBraves Jerseys For SaleDiscount Marlins Jerseys OnlineDiscount Mets Jerseys OnlinePhillies Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Nationals JerseysCubs Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Reds Jerseys OnlineBrewers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Pirates JerseysWholesale MLB Cardinals JerseysDiamondbacks Jerseys For SaleRockies Jerseys For SaleDiscount Dodgers Jerseys OnlineDiscount Padres Jerseys OnlineGiants Jerseys For Sale ' ' '