Novak Leads Marquette Past DePaul, 67-57

Box Score

Milwaukee, Feb. 20 ? Marquette made eight straight free throws in the final 2:13 to secure a 67-57 win over DePaul Sunday afternoon at the Bradley Center.

Steve Novak was the story for the Golden Eagles (18-8, 6-7), contributing a team-high 22 points off of 4-5 shooting from the 3-point line and a perfect 6-6 from the free- throw line. Travis Diener, playing his cousin Drake Diener for the last time in the regular season, added 15 in front of the 17,140 Bradley Center crowd.

?(Travis) is an efficient, an effective leader on this team. He has an enthusiasm that is contagious for everyone out on the floor. We have a fighting chance in anything because of that spirit that he has,? coach Tom Crean said.

Marquette opened up hot from the perimeter, firing off four treys in the first four minutes and converting on three. A struggling DePaul (16-7, 8-4) was helped by Drake Diener who sank a fast break lay-up after Novak?s lone 3-point miss of the half. Drake Diener?s basket at the 11 minute mark cut Marquette?s lead to 13-8. The Golden Eagles then went on a drought that allowed the Blue Demons to tie the score at 13.

The lead would change one more time during the half but Marquette was able to hold onto the lead, 31-29 entering into halftime. Marquette recorded eleven assists on twelve first half field goals.

Drake Diener led the way for DePaul with 16 points, Quemont Greer contributed 13 in the game for the Blue Demons.

Marquette opened up the second half by going on a ten point lead capped off by a Dameon Mason 3-pointer with 9:29 left in the game. The Golden Eagles then fell cold as DePaul heated up on a ten point run interrupted only by three Marquette free throws.

?Steve was hitting his shots in the first half and that opened things up for us in the second half,? Travis Diener said. ?When he gets going he?s not going to miss many open shots and he didn?t tonight.

Todd Townsend ended the Blue Demons? run with a fade-away jumper, making the score 56-51.

With DePaul down by seven and 4:23 left, Lorenzo Thompson missed both of his free throws after being fouled by Ousmane Barro, passing by an easy opportunity to cut into the Golden Eagles? lead.

Two late baskets by LeVar Seals kept the Blue Demons fighting but as Marquette went a perfect eight-for-eight down the stretch from the free-throw line, making a total of 18-of-22 in the second half, the Golden Eagles were assured of the win.

?I thought we played hard and I thought our effort was there. I thought the key was that we outrebounded them, controlled Quemont and made plays down the stretch. It was a big win for our team and I think we?re playing with a lot of confidence right now,? Travis Diener said.

Marquette now travels to Cincinnati on Thu. Feb., 24 to close out its road schedule before playing its final two regular season games at home.
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