Marquette University
21-11,13-7Big East
South Florida
27-6,15-1AAC
WBB Loses 67-65 Overtime Tournament Thriller to South Florida
3/17/2023 2:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Marquette's season comes to a close with 67-65 overtime defeat
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Marquette women's basketball team (21-11, 13-7 BIG EAST) saw its season come to a close Friday afternoon as it dropped an overtime thriller in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, falling to 8-seed South Florida 67-65.
The Golden Eagles took the lead early and remained on top for over 37 minutes of regulation, but South Florida used tight defense down the stretch to pull even and eventually take a four-point lead with just 31 seconds remaining. MU fought back with clutch free throws from Jordan King and Mackenzie Hare, and forced a jump ball and a missed half-court heave on the other end to extend the game into overtime.
Marquette struck first in overtime, but both of the team's starting forwards, Liza Karlen and Chloe Marotta, fouled out in quick succession early in the period, Karlen leaving the game with 3:18 remaining and Marotta picking up her fifth at the 2:56 mark. Despite being short handed, the Golden Eagles remained in it the rest of the way, but a missed 3-pointer at the buzzer signaled the end of the season.
In her final game as a Golden Eagle, senior forward Chloe Marotta was spectacular as she scored a game-high 25 points to go along with seven rebounds in before fouling out. Marotta was joined with double-figures in the scoring column by King (16) and Emily La Chapell (13).
South Florida (27-6, 15-1 AAC) was led by Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, who went for 22 points and 16 rebounds.
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Marquette finishes the season 21-11 overall. This is the sixth time in the past seven seasons it has exceeded 20 wins.
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This was the 14th NCAA tournament appearance all-time for Marquette, now 6-9 in opening round games.
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With 16 points on the afternoon, Jordan King passed Danielle King on Marquette's all-time scoring leaderboard. She now ranks 16th in program history with (1,384).
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King also recorded eight rebounds, three assists and a game-high five steals.
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Chloe Marotta finished with a game-high 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting, to go along with seven rebounds. This was the 10th 20-plus point game of Marotta's career, and her seventh of the season.
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Marotta concludes her Marquette career with 149 games played (2nd all-time), ranking eighth in program history with 912 rebounds and 29th all-time with 1,094 points.
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Emily La Chapell went for 13 points, including scoring eight of the first 12 points for Marquette.
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Marquette forced 15 turnovers while committing just eight, tying its season low.
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Marquette finished the game shooting 32.9 percent (23-of-70) from the floor, 30.8 percent (4-of-13) from 3-point range and 68.2 percent (15-of-22) from the free throw line.
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With the loss, Marquette is now 16-6 in the all-time series vs South Florida.
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).
