WBB Defeats Providence 61-59

MILWAUKEE — The Marquette women's basketball team (16-5, 9-3 BIG EAST) earned its fifth-straight win Friday evening, defeating Providence 61-59 at the Al McGuire Center.

In a game which came right down to the wire, the Golden Eagles capitalized on excellent rebounding, winning the battle on the glass 44-30 led by sophomore forward Liza Karlen's 10.

Marquette led 32-27 at the half, the largest lead by either side through two quarters, but it was quickly erased by a 6-0 Friar run to open the third. MU answered that run with a 7-0 run of its own.

Providence's Kylee Shephard hit a 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining to make it a one-point game, MU leading 60-59. After a 1-for-2 trip to the free throw line to go up by two, graduate guard Karissa McLaughlin intercepted an entry pass into the post with under a second remaining to seal the win for Marquette.

The Golden Eagles were paced by graduate forward Lauren Van Kleunen's 19-point, eight-rebound performance. Junior guard Jordan King chipped in with 16 points, five boards and three assists, while McLaughlin had 14 points and a season high-tying seven assists.

The Friars (9-12, 4-8 BIG EAST) were led by Janai Crooms, who finished with team-highs of 16 points and five assists.

All 10 of Karlen's boards came in the first half, the most in a single half by a MU player this season.
This was Karlen's fifth-career double-figure rebounding performance.
The Golden Eagles started a perfect 13-of-13 from the free throw line before missing 4-of-7 down the stretch.
Marquette recorded 18 offensive boards, just two shy of its top mark this season.
Providence's Nariah Scott fouled out at the 3:46 mark of the fourth quarter.
With the win, Marquette is now 21-5 against Providence all-time and has won 10-straight in the series.

UP NEXT: Marquette remains at home for an important BIG EAST matchup with Creighton the Al McGuire Center on Sunday, Feb. 6. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. (CT) and the game will be broadcast on FS1.

Keep up with the Marquette women's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWBB) and Instagram (@marquettewbb) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteWBB).