Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
Michigan Tech (EXH.)
Men's Basketball Opens Exhibition Season with a 71-66 Win Over Michigan Tech
2/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2005
MILWAUKEE - The Marquette men's basketball team opened up their exhibition season defeating Michigan Tech, 71-66, at the Bradley Center in front of a crowd of 10,353. With the win, head coach Tom Crean, in his seventh season, remains undefeated in exhibition play.
"Michigan Tech did a great job tonight, they are well coached," said head coach Tom Crean. "They were hungry they exposed some things for us that we need to improve upon."
Marquette ended the first half with a five-point advantage, 33-28, shooting 35.7 percent from the field. Freshman guard Dominic James led the Golden Eagles in the first half with 12 points going four-of-six from the field. Fellow freshman guard Wesley Matthews chipped in nine points including a perfect five-of-five from the free-throw line. Bob Evans led the Huskies with 12 points including four three pointers.
The Golden Eagles forced 13 Husky turnovers, but Tech won the battle of the boards in the first half out rebounding the Golden Eagles 24-16 including nine offensive boards.
James started things off for the Golden Eagles with their first points of game, while Marquette held the Huskies scoreless for nearly two minutes until Tech's Radayl Richardson nailed his first free throw of the game.
Senior Chris Grimm hit a free throw with 12:27 left to improve Marquette's lead to six points (20-12), but over two minutes passed before Marquette tallied another basket as a jumper from Matthews increased the Golden Eagles lead to eight points with 10:04 remaining the first.
The Huskies took their first lead of the game, 23-22, with just under six minutes left in the first half on a three pointer from Bob Evans. James replied with one of his own giving the lead back to Marquette, 25-23. The Golden Eagles used free throws from junior transfer Jamil Lott and Matthews, along with a dunk from the freshman to go into the locker room with the five point advantage (33-28).
Marquette came out intense after the break recording an early 8-0 run to lead by 12 points, 42-30 with 17:41 remaining in the game. A three pointer from Richardson helped the Huskies mount a 12-4 run of their own to cut the lead to four points (46 -42). Baskets from Robby Springborn and a trey from Richardson helped the Huskies inch within one, 48-47, with 12:38 remaining in the game.
Marquette turned the tables again and took another 13 unanswered points from Tech over the next six minutes giving the Golden Eagles the 61-47 lead with 7:23 left. Tech came as close as three points to the Golden Eagles (63-60) at two different times on the strength of a pair of baskets from Joe DeMartin and three pointers from Springboard and Tim Strom. Marquette sealed the win with a jumper from freshman Jerel McNeal and four free throws from junior Dan Fitzgerald who ended the game with 10 points.
The Golden Eagles improved their shooting from the field in the second half hitting 48.3 percent (14-29), and 42.1 percent (24 of 57) for the game. Matthews led all scorers tonight with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. James added 15 points and McNeal added 11 points and a team leading seven rebounds. Richardson led the Huskies with 16 points and added three blocks, while Evans contributed 12 points all of which were three-point baskets.
"The game is a lot faster, but it was fun," said Matthews. "Take nothing away from Michigan Tech, they are a great team overall. They are well coached and the shoot well. We could have done some things better."
"We showed some good signs, especially with giving our young guys the minutes we did," said Crean. "It's part of the process of us having such a young team. We have a lot of smart guys on our team knowing that they will get a lot of playing time this season. Hopefully the team that was on the court tonight will grow, mature and improve with each game."
The Golden Eagles will continue their exhibition play on Monday, November 14 hosting Wis.-Whitewater at the Bradley Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
