#MUBB Completes Comeback in 76-72 Win Over DePaul

MILWAUKEE — The Marquette University men's basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat a hot-shooting DePaul team 76-72 on Saturday afternoon at Fiserv Forum.

Marquette (16-6, 6-4 BIG EAST) earned its fifth BIG EAST victory in its last six tries and defeated DePaul for the 12th straight time at home in Milwaukee. The Golden Eagles were led by a game-high 31 points from senior guard Markus Howard, who returned to the floor after an injury scare against Xavier on Wednesday. He left Wednesday night's double-overtime win against Xavier with 11:15 remaining in regulation when a hit to the face resulted in a bloody nose.

Kobe McEwen (13 points) reached double figures for the fourth straight game and backup center Jayce Johnson scored a season-high 11 points on a perfect 5/5 shooting from the floor.

MU trailed by six at halftime after the Blue Demons shot a blistering 57.9 percent through the first 20 minutes to go up 40-34. The Golden Eagles shot 24 of their 35 foul shots in the second half and they were able to seal the victory from the free throw line.

Charlie Moore led DePaul with 21 points, six rebounds and eight assists on the afternoon. Paul Reed and Jaylen Butz scored 14 points apiece and Jalen Coleman-Lands chipped in 13 points.

BIG PICTURE
DePaul has now dropped four straight games since its win over then No. 5 Butler at Wintrust Arena. The Blue Demons fall to 1-8 in the BIG EAST and sit in last place by a game and a half.

The Golden Eagles have won five out of six BIG EAST games and have put themselves in the conversation for a top four spot in the BIG EAST.

UP NEXT
DePaul: Hosts Xavier at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Marquette: Has a bye this week before hosting No. 15/- Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. CT.