The Marquette Golden Eagles have defeated the St. John’s Red Storm, 72-70, in overtime during the Big East quarterfinal. Marquette was down by 10 points at halftime, but managed to take the Red Storm into overtime with an incredible second half of basketball. The Golden Eagles will now advance to the semifinal of the Big East conference tournament.
Marquette Golden Eagles Escape OT With Narrow Win
In the Big East tournament quarterfinal, neither team played a great game. The Red Storm shot 30.4% from the floor and Marquette shot 39.1% and 26.5% from three point range. Both teams struggled to consistently score the basketball throughout the game. St. John’s got out to an early lead and held it into the second half of play.
Marquette Battles Back to Defeat St. John's 72-70 in Overtime
Recap:⤵️https://t.co/m7ipMQn9Yv#MUBB | #WeAreMarquette pic.twitter.com/AM28vYdinu
— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB) March 9, 2023
In the second half, the Golden Eagles were able to pick up the pace of their offense to narrow the Red Storm lead. Marquette also settled in on defense and began to limit the amount of fouls they gave away. After scoring 35 in the second half and tying the game, the Golden Eagles took over the game as time expired.
Tyler Kolek led Marquette with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 16 points and four rebounds on seven of eleven shooting from the field. Oso Ighodaro also added a double-double in the win with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Big East Conference Tournament First Test For Golden Eagles
The Red Storm have given the Marquette Golden Eagles trouble all season. Despite Marquette winning all three meetings, St. John’s has brought out a different style of basketball from the Golden Eagles. Marquette has struggled as a defensive unit this year and the Red Storm have brought these issues out in each of their meetings. The Golden Eagles have committed 58 fouls and allowed 249 points in three games against the Red Storm this season.
Defense has been the issue for the Golden Eagles this season and continues to linger. Marquette averages 10 steals per game, but struggles with their defensive efficiency as a unit. Marquette also averages 10.7 turnovers per game, which effectively erases the turnovers they create. Against the Big East offenses they face, the Golden Eagles have been able to get away with their struggling defense, but against top offenses that will have to change.
Shaka Smart will have to prepare for the winner of the UConn–Providence match in the semifinals of the Big East conference tournament. Likely, the Golden Eagles will need to play the UConn Huskies tomorrow, March 10th, to advance to the tournament finals. After an amazing season, winning the Big East conference tournament would be a massive momentum boost for the Marquette Golden Eagles. As a likely three seed Marquette will have a tough road ahead during the NCAA tournament.
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