Basketball is a game of two halves. We hear it all the time. But Friday night’s score of Marquette basketball game at Wintrust Arena was a brutal, living example of that cliché.
The Golden Eagles walked into Chicago looking to snap a skid. They walked out with an 80-75 loss to DePaul.
If you just look at the final score, it looks like a close, hard-fought battle. It wasn't exactly that. Honestly, it was more like two different games played on the same court. Marquette (6-13, 1-7 Big East) dominated the first twenty minutes, only to watch the lead evaporate in a dizzying three-minute span after halftime.
The Tale of Two Halves in Chicago
Shaka Smart’s squad was humming early. They shot a season-best 60.7 percent from the floor in the first half. Think about that. Every other shot—and then some—was falling. They jumped out to an 11-0 run and eventually led 13-4. By the time both teams headed to the locker room, Marquette held a comfortable 44-36 lead.
Then the second half started.
DePaul came out like they were shot from a cannon. Specifically, CJ Gunn. He was basically a one-man wrecking crew, finishing with 31 points. DePaul opened the second half with 14 unanswered points. Just like that, a 44-36 Marquette lead became a 50-44 DePaul advantage.
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It took nearly four minutes for Marquette to even score a point in the second half.
Key Player Stats and Standouts
While the loss hurts, there were some bright spots for the Golden Eagles. Freshman Nigel James Jr. is quickly becoming the guy everyone has to watch.
- Nigel James Jr.: 18 points, 8 assists.
- Royce Parham: 14 points.
- Damarius Owens: 12 points (second straight game in double figures).
- Chase Ross: 13 points (now 51st on MU’s all-time scoring list).
DePaul’s N.J. Benson also did a lot of damage, scoring 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting. Marquette eventually cut the lead to four points with 19 seconds left, but it was too little, too late.
Understanding the Big East Struggles
The score of Marquette basketball game against DePaul reflects a larger trend this season. The Golden Eagles have been competitive, but finishing games has been the "Achilles' heel." They’ve lost several tight ones lately, including a three-point heartbreaker to Villanova (76-73) and an 80-75 loss here.
Injuries haven't helped. Ben Gold has been dealing with an ankle issue, and Sean Jones has been sidelined with a foot injury. When you're missing that kind of veteran presence, the "young guns" like Nigel James Jr. have to carry a heavy load. James Jr. is the first Marquette true freshman since Markus Howard to put up 30-plus in a game (which he did against Villanova), but even that kind of individual brilliance hasn't been enough to tip the scales in the win column.
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The Big East is a gauntlet. There are no "easy" nights. Even a DePaul team that struggled early in the season is capable of putting up 80 points when they get hot.
What the Fans are Saying
If you spend five minutes on Marquette message boards, you'll see a mix of frustration and cautious optimism. People love the energy of the freshmen. But the defensive lapses in the second half are driving everyone crazy.
"We can't keep giving up 14-0 runs," is the general sentiment.
It’s true. In college hoops, you can't survive a scoring drought that lasts four minutes while the other team is hitting everything.
What’s Next for the Golden Eagles?
There is no time to pout. The schedule doesn't get any easier. Marquette heads back home to the Fiserv Forum for a massive matchup.
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Upcoming Schedule:
- Providence: Monday, Jan. 19 (MLK Day) at 5:00 P.M. CT.
- At Butler: Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:00 P.M. CT.
- Creighton: Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 8:30 P.M. CT.
The Providence game is a big one. It's a chance to reset in front of the home crowd. The Golden Eagles need a win to get some momentum before heading back on the road to Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the team, keep an eye on the injury report. The return of Ben Gold is the biggest X-factor for the frontcourt. Without him, the Golden Eagles are giving up too many high-percentage shots in the paint, as evidenced by N.J. Benson's near-perfect shooting night for DePaul.
Also, watch the rotation. Shaka Smart has been leaning on the freshmen, but we might see a more tightened rotation as he searches for a group that can maintain defensive intensity for a full 40 minutes.
To support the team, show up early for the Providence game on Monday. The energy at Fiserv Forum is often the spark this young team needs to close out those tight second-half windows. Keep a close watch on Nigel James Jr.'s assist-to-turnover ratio; as he goes, this offense goes.