#MUBB Defeats Vermont, 78-61 in First Round of NCAA Tournament

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Marquette University men's basketball team (29-6, 17-3 BIG EAST) defeated Vermont (23-11, 14-2 America East), 78-61, to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where it will face Michigan State.

Game time and television coverage will be announced Friday night.

David Joplin led all scorers at halftime with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the field to go with one assist and one board. Joplin helped the Golden Eagles take a nine-point lead into halftime.

Kam Jones paced MU with 19 points (7-of-9) and four boards after scoring only one point in the first half. The Golden Eagles pulled away with 10 minutes left in the game and never looked back after extending their lead to 20 points.

The Catamounts were led by Robin Duncan and Dylan Penn who both scored 11 points.

Notables:

Marquette's NCAA victory is its first since 2013 (lost in 2017, 2019 and 2022) and the team's overall record is now 42-35
Kolek, who was limited by foul trouble, finished with four assists to pass 500 for his collegiate career and he is 10 short of single-season record (274, Tony Miller, 1993-94)
David Joplin scored 12 points, his third-straight double-figure game (second time this season)
Leading scorer Kam Jones (15.0 ppg.) was held to just one point in the first half, but was limited to just eight minutes with foul trouble.
Jones finished with 19 points and at one point scored 18-straight for Marquette in the second half
Mitchell finished with seven rebounds, matching his career high for the third time
Meeting with Michigan State will be the first since Nov. 28, 2014 when the Spartans claimed a 79-68 win in the semifinals of the Orlando Classic
MU has faced MSU twice in the NCAA tournament, falling 61-49 in the first round in 2007 and 74-69 in the 1959 regional semifinals

UP NEXT:
The Golden Eagles move on to the second round to face Michigan State Sunday, March 19

Keep up with the Marquette men's basketball program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteMBB) and Instagram (@marquette.basketball) and 'liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteMensBB). Fans interested in tickets can contact the Marquette Ticket Office online or at 414-288-GOMU (4668).