#MUBB Hosts Northern Illinois Saturday Night

The Marquette University men's basketball team (5-1, 0-0 BIG EAST) opens a brief two-game homestand Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT when the squad hosts Northern Illinois (1-4, 0-0 MAC) in non-conference action at Fiserv Forum. FS2 features the national television broadcast, with Lane Grindle (play-by-play) and Brian Butch (analyst) calling the action. Marquette is facing NIU for the second time, having claimed a 95-65 win on Dec. 9, 1992 in the only previous meeting. Following Saturday's outing, the Golden Eagles will host Jackson State at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Marquette Supporting Nike's N7 Initiative

Since 2010, N7 has partnered with select collegiate basketball programs to create turquoise jerseys and shorts. More than a color, Turquoise holds symbolic prestige and power in many Native American communities. Marquette has participated on an annual basis, featuring special uniforms, warmups and shoes during November's Native American Heritage Month.

Nike is committed to getting youth in Native American and Aboriginal communities moving so they can lead healthier, happier and more successful lives. Through Nike's N7 Fund, it supports organizations that provide sport and physical activity programming to youth in these communities. The N7 Fund helps them reach their greatest potential through play and sport and creates more equal playing fields for all.

Since its creation, the Nike N7 Fund has awarded more than $8 million in grants, administered by the Charities Aid Foundation of America, to more than 270 communities and organizations.

Lewis Earns All-Tourney Nod, BIG EAST Honors

In three outings at the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic, forward Justin Lewis chipped in 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds to lead the team, earning a spot on the all-tournament team and BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll in the process.

The Baltimore, Maryland, native shot 46.3 percent (19-of-41) from the field overall and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from deep in Charleston and collected his third double-double of the campaign with a 17-point, 11-board effort against St. Bonaventure in the title game.

He opened the tourney with a career-best 21 points in the win over Ole Miss, but has scored 17 points in each of the team's other five outings.

Lewis now owns a total of 10 3-pointers (5-of-8 vs. Ole Miss) on the year after collecting just seven total in 21 appearances in 2020-21. He is ranked among the league leaders in scoring (17.7 ppg., 5th) and rebounding (8.5 rpg., 4th) and after knocking down just 57.7 percent of his free throw opportunities last season, he is shooting 26-of-30 (86.7) from the charity stripe to rank seventh in the league.

Joplin, Ellis See Extended Action

Freshmen David Joplin and Emarion Ellis both registered season highs in minutes played in the team's latest outing against St. Bonaventure, responding with career-best scoring efforts.

Joplin chipped in a career-high 10 points off the bench, knocking down a pair of treys in his 18 minutes of action. He also grabbed four boards, dished out an assist and added both a block and steal.

Ellis netted his first collegiate points against the Bonnies, finishing with four points in nine minutes on the floor. He knocked down his first 3-pointer and also contributed three rebounds and an assist.

Morsell Scoring At Career-Best Clip

Senior guard Darryl Morsell is currently second on the team and seventh in the BIG EAST in scoring at 17.3 points per game, courtesy of four efforts of 20-or-more points.

In 126 career games at Maryland, he had never scored more than 19 points in an outing or averaged more than 9.0 points per contest in a season.

The Baltimore, Maryland, native netted a career-best 26 points in the win over New Hampshire and for the season is shooting 47.6 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from behind the 3-point line.