Marquette Golden Eagles’ five-game winning streak was almost over at the hands of DePaul but then the Blue Demons should have known it – David Joplin owns their home court.
At least that’s how it was like for years for the senior Golden Eagles whenever he visits the Chicago school.
DePaul threatened to snap Marquette’s hot streak by denying their visitors from the three point line and leaving the bench ineffective.
Coach Shaka Smart’s squad thought they had the victory sealed with six seconds remaining in the game to take a 67-65 lead through a Chase Ross three assisted by Stevie Mitchell.
Conor Enright had other things in mind as he rushed coast-to-coast and lay the ball up to tie the game with just three seconds left in the clock.
The overtime period started and that’s where the Joplin show took place. The 6’7 forward hit two straight threes to put away the Blue Demons in the first minute. His OT shooting was just a continuation of his hot night from the regulation.
DePaul managed to close the gap in the last minute of the OT period but then the Golden Eagles already built a lead that was too large to overcome for them. The game concluded, 85-83.
David Joplin loves Wintrust Arena
Most of the Golden Eagles struggled offensively but not Joplin who scored 30 points.
DePaul’s zone defense shackled Smart’s shooter but his trust on Joplin never wavered. He thought shots will fall for his veteran because of his familiarity with Wintrust Arena.
“So we’re going to get threes. He’s going to get threes. He shot 13 of them tonight, so his kind of came. He loves the rims here. He’s played well here going back to his sophomore year where we stayed at that hotel here and scrimmaged Missouri in October. And we needed every bit of those 30 points.”
As for Joplin, who also hit big threes a week ago versus Creighton, he can’t find an explanation why he plays well in DePaul’s territory but he is savoring it.
“I don’t know what it is. But I love playing here and this is my last time, so I wanted to make it a good one.”
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
