Men's Basketball Hosts UMBC

Dec. 15, 2006

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AP - Trying to shake off its first slump of the season, Marquette begins the second half of its month-long homestand Saturday when it meets Maryland-Baltimore County.

After racing to an 8-0 start that included victories over Duke and Texas Tech, the 20th-ranked Golden Eagles (9-2) have dropped two of their last three games - all at home.

Tom Crean's team fell 70-66 to then-No. 11 Wisconsin last Saturday, furthering Marquette's drop in the rankings. The Golden Eagles were the No. 8 team in the nation until they lost 64-60 to North Dakota State two weeks ago.

"Any loss hurts, especially at home and against a rival like Wisconsin," said sophomore swingman Wesley Matthews, who was held to nine points on 3-for-11 shooting. "You break down film and you learn a lot from a game. If you learn anything, its about how you can bounce back after a loss."

The other two sophomore stars for the Golden Eagles - Dominic James and Jerel McNeal - had 19 and 16 points, respectively against the Badgers. The two combined for 30 of Marquette's 41 second-half points.

James, the unanimous selection as Big East freshman of the year last season, is averaging team highs of 17.2 points and 3.9 assists.

"I know I have a target on my back," he said. "I am going to go out there and play the way that I know how to play and I don't let anyone else dictate how I am going to play."

McNeal is averaging 14.1 points and 3.6 steals, and Matthews is contributing 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, but the sophomore trio may benefit more with a return to form by center Ousmane Barro.

The 6-foot-10 junior has just 15 points and 10 rebounds over his last three games after having 31 points and 26 rebounds in his two prior contests, notching the first two double-doubles of his career in those games.

Following this game, the Golden Eagles face three more non-conference opponents at home before their Big East opener at Providence on Jan. 4.

UMBC (4-6) is playing the third of four straight games on the road, and its seventh away from home this season. The Retrievers struggled in a 72-51 defeat to George Washington on Tuesday, shooting 38.5 percent and committing 22 turnovers.

Brian Hodges hit four 3-pointers and finished with 17 points for UMBC, and is the team's leading scorer at 13.9 points per game. The Retrievers are playing their second Big East team this season, having lost 78-57 on the road to St. John's on Dec. 1.

This is UMBC's first game against a ranked opponent since a 101-60 loss to then-No. 23 Maryland on Dec. 23, 2002. The Retrievers have played six games against a team in the Top 25 since 1996, with five of those contests coming against the Terrapins.

Marquette has won both games between these teams, including a 93-63 rout in the most recent meeting on Dec. 30, 1991.