Marquette University Athletics
Louisville Tops Marquette, 64-61
2/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MILWAUKEE, Feb. 17 ? Thursday night?s Conference USA matchup between Marquette and Louisville came down to the last 2.6 seconds and at the end of the game, the Cardinals were on top, 64-61.
After owning the lead for the majority of the game, the Golden Eagles (17-8, 5-7) suddenly went cold in the last five minutes as they watched Louisville (22-4, 10-2) come back from an 11 point deficit as late as 5:38 minutes left in the game. At the 1: 38 mark, Marquette committed two consecutive fouls that let the Cardinals get four points without taking any time off the clock.
?The momentum swing at the end was the free throws,? Marquette head coach Tom Crean said. ?The momentum turned at the free throw situation and we were not able to get it back. They were the recipients of that, they were the recipients of the momentum turn.?
With the score tied at 61 with 11 seconds left, Joe Champan missed a 3-pointer that allowed the Cardinals to drive down and have the last shot. Francisco Garcia dribbled up the court and drained a 3-pointer with 2.6 seconds left. Two timeouts later, Travis Diener attempted a rushed trey that fell short as time ran out.
?It was a wide open shot, I just missed it, missed it bad and it was the story of the night,? Diener said. ?Give them credit, they played good defense. I missed layups, and the supposed best player on the floor I should make layups.?
Steve Novak had a team-high 14 points with Todd Townsend adding 12 and Joe Champman rounding out Marquette?s double-digit scorers with 11.
The Golden Eagles started the game hot on offense going on an 11-2 run in the first five minutes. Todd Townsend led the way with his ten first half points after going 4-of -5 from the floor. While Louisville struggled to make shots, Marquette was able to control the momentum limited the Cardinals to 11-for-28 shooting.
After maintaining the lead for the first 11 minutes of the game, the Golden Eagles went on a four minute scoring drought, allowing Louisville back into the game late in the first half. Four Marquette 3-pointers later, the Golden Eagles entered into halftime up 32-29.
After being virtually silent for the fist half, Travis Diener began to make his mark with 11 minutes left when he hit a 3-pointer to put Marquette up 48-43. Joe Chapman followed with his third 3-pointer of the night to extend the lead to 51-45.
Garcia led the Cardinals in scoring with 18 points, Larry O?Bannon added 15 and Otis George had 10.
The Golden Eagles were coming off of a crushing 99-52 defeat at Louisville earlier this year.
?Our team realized that the game down at Louisville was a complete aberration of what kind of team we have. We learned we can play with them without a doubt and that we can go toe-to-toe with them,? Crean said. ?At the end they got some easier baskets and we missed some shots we normally make. Credit them for making a tough shot at the end.?
Marquette continues to play at home when it hosts DePaul on Sun., Feb. 20 at 12:30 p.m.
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