It would have been one of the biggest wins for Marquette Golden Eagles but they failed to hold on to their lead up to the last 10 seconds, allowing St. John’s Red Storm to steal the win.
The two teams figured in a see-saw battle the entire game but the Golden Eagles almost broke away in the last 22 seconds.
The only problem was that Stevie Mitchell converted just one of the free throws he received from a foul by Kadary Richmond. He could have made it more difficult for the Red Storm but because of the missed FT, they only had a 75-73 lead.
The ball went back to Red Storm with 20 seconds remaining in the game and RJ Luis, who was hot all game long for his team, managed to elude the defense and got himself into the rim for an easy lay-up to tie the game at 75.
The Golden Eagles, who were motivated by their loss to the Huskies, had the chance to steal the win back in 10 seconds but Ben Gold missed the jumper.
The loss spoiled Kam Jones’ all around game as he scored 32 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and made seven assists.
Gold also had another great game with 13 points although he went 2 out of 8 from the three point line. David Joplin did his part with his 21 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.
Marquette Golden Eagles didn’t answer to physicality says Smart
Golden Eagles were the underdogs in the entire game and yet the game was for anybody’s taking since the first whistle.
The victory could have gone to the other side but they fell short.
What could have they done better? Head coach Shaka Smart thinks physicality is something they failed to answer to.
“Wrestle,” Smart said when asked about what they should have improved in the game.
“It’s a fine line, it’s just so incredibly physical.
“There’s certainly some bulldozing going on. Ben got called for a couple fouls, I think, where he was like face-guarding on the blockout. Which you can’t do because it’s illegal. But … you have to do something to keep them from driving you into the row where the cheerleaders sit.”
The Red Storm trooped to the foul line 21 times, one few than Golden Eagles’ 22. However, the problem is in the conversion. St. John made 15 of their shots from the bonus while Marquette missed 10.
Marquette fell to no. 4 in the Big East while St. John’s retain the no. 1 spot.
Marquette Golden Eagles will return to action on Thursday to face Xavier for their last regular season game.
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