#MUB Hosts Central Michigan Monday To Conclude Marquette Challenge

The No. 18/17 Marquette University men's basketball team (2-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) wraps up its season-opening three-game homestand on Monday night when the Golden Eagles hosts Central Michigan (1-1, 0-0 MAC) at 8 p.m. CT in Fiserv Forum. FS1 features the national television broadcast of the final game of the Marquette Challenge, with Chris Vosters (play-by-play), Terrence Oglesby (analyst) and former Marquette guard Wesley Matthews (analyst) calling the action. Following Monday's outing, MU will hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Maryland on Friday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. CT.

Marquette Facing Chippewas For Third Time

The Golden Eagles and Chippewas will be meeting for the third time on Monday night, having most recently crossed paths at the Al McGuire Center on Nov. 7, 2022 in the last student-only game on campus prior to Friday night's outing against George Mason.

The Golden Eagles have claimed each of the first two matchups and were led by forward David Joplin's 23 points (8-of-12 shooting) off the bench in just 21 minutes of action in the, 97-73, Marquette victory.

Joplin, Offense Find Rhythm In Second Half

Marquette opened the game with a 16-2 run against George Mason, but it wasn't until the team closed the outing at the Al McGuire Center with another 16-2 run that the Golden Eagles were able to pull away for the 82-63 victory.

Marquette led 66-61 at the final media timeout with 3:59 remaining, but George Mason missed a pair of free throws out of the break and wouldn't score again until the final seconds.

Senior forward David Joplin finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds (19 points and 10 boards in second half) for his second-career double-double and in two all-time outings at the Al McGuire Center averaged 25.0 points per contest while shooting 16-of-30 from the floor overall and 11-of-21 from behind the 3-point line.

Joplin's first career double-double came last season in the NCAA tournament opener against Western Kentucky when he chipped in 13 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes of action.

Marquette's students only game was a sellout (3,750) for the second time.

Ross Stuffs Rim, Stat Sheet Friday Night

Junior guard Chase Ross had a pair of highlight dunks in the second half against George Mason, with the second at the 12:25 mark giving the Golden Eagles a lead they would never relinquish the rest of the night.

In nearly 35 minutes of action, Ross finished the night with 11 points, five rebounds, a career-high five steals and four assists. Through two games this season, he is contributing 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per outing, while shooting 56.5 percent (13-of-23) from the field.

Starters Looking For Offensive Bench Help

Through the first two outings of the season, Marquette's starting five (Kam Jones, Ross, Mitchell, Gold and Joplin) has accounted for 85.0 percent (78.0/92.0 ppg.) of the team's scoring.

Marquette has yet to have a reserve reach double figures. Sophomore Zaide Lowery netted a bench-corps best seven points in the win over Stony Brook. With junior guard Sean Jones and freshman Damarius Owens currently sidelined by injury, the Golden Eagles' rotation after the starting five consists of only freshmen and sophomores, including first-year players Caedin Hamilton and Royce Parham.

#MUB Hosts Central Michigan Monday To Conclude Marquette Challenge

Players Mentioned

Caedin Hamilton

Kam Jones

Sean Jones

David Joplin

Zaide Lowery

Damarius Owens

Royce Parham

Chase Ross

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