Marquette University Athletics
Marquette University
Oakland
Freshmen Lead Men's Basketball to 90-69 Win over Oakland
2/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2005
MILWAUKEE - Wesley Matthews and Jerel McNeal each poured in career-highs in scoring, as Marquette used a second-half surge to pull away from Oakland, 90-69.
Matthews scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, connecting on all three of his attempts from the perimeter in the second 20 minutes. For the game, he also added four rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal in 29 minutes of play. Conversely, McNeal scored 14 of his 18 in the first half. He also finished with seven rebounds -- a collegiate-best -- five assists and three steals in 27 minutes of action.
"The freshmen played with tenacity, toughness and composure and their energy was exceptional," said head coach Tom Crean.
Marquette (8-3) began the game committing an six turnovers through the first eight minutes of the ballgame. Trailing by as many as seven points -- at 21-14 with 9:37 to play -- the Golden Eagles picked up their play. MU closed out the half by outscoring Oakland (4-4), 30-11, as McNeal scored 12 points, connecting on all five of his shots from the field.
McNeal and Matthews combined for 18 of Marquette's 30 points during the run and Marquette took a 44-32 lead into the locker room at the break.
Dominic James and McNeal began the second half with baskets, giving Marquette a 16-point lead, 48-32, with 19:14 to play. But Oakland rallied back, going on a 17-1 run to tie the game at 49-49 with 13:48 to play.
Marquette would quickly answer. A jumper by Steve Novak from the elbow and a dunk by Mike Kinsella began a 10-0 spurt for the Golden Eagles, capped by a trifecta by Matthews, giving Marquette a 59-49 lead with 10:40 to go.
Leading 66-57 with 7:30 to play, Marquette completed a 16-5 run over the next 2:58 to put the Golden Eagles up by 20, 82-62, and the game out of reach.
"We started out slow but picked it up," said McNeal. "In the second half, we let them get back into it, but we showed a lot of perseverence to put them away in the end. I think Wes and Dominic played really well, but the great thing about it is that we all felt we could play better. We just need to keep trying to get better."
James scored 17 points to go along with five boards and four assists, while Novak added 10 points and six rebounds. Ryan Amoroso registered eight points and eight boards.
For the game, Marquette shot 50.0 percent from the floor (35-for-70), including 9-of-24 from the perimeter (37.5 percent). They were 11-of-16 from the line (68.8 percent) and outrebounded the Golden Bears, 39-32. The Golden Eagle defense forced 22 Oakland turnovers -- good for 36 points.
"Coach has been asking a lot of us; to start playing as a unit and to bring energy on the court," stated Matthews. "We watched tape on ourselves this week saw our defense wasn't there, it was definately lacking. We picked it up today and knew if we brought intensity on defense, the offense would come."
Crean agreed: "First and foremost, our team is trying to be known for putting pressure on the ball and playing solid defense. Tonight, we had 71 deflections and I don't think I've ever had a team with that many.
"It all starts with our defense. I thought we moved the ball very well tonight. Our team is slowly but surely beginning to understand spacing, and how that distorts how the other team can guard you. We have a couple more games to work on it before we start BIG EAST play and have one of the best teams in the country come in here on Jan. 3."
