West Virginia avoids 0-2 in Big East by upsetting No.10 Marquette
Marquette should have expected the unexpected when they ventured into Morgantown, but then again can you blame Marquette and head coach Tom Crean for being taken by suprise? After all Huggins used a defensive scheme he’s never instituted before. The gamble payed big dividends.
West Virginia abandoned their man-to-man defense and used a triangle-and-2 scheme to surprise and defeat No.10 Marquette 79-64 on Sunday afternoon. The Mountaineers (11-3, 1-1) won their 13th straight home game and sixth straight Big East opener, while the loss ends a seven game winning streak for Marquette (11-2, 1-1).
The Mountaineers were able to avoid an 0-2 start in the Big East behind the tandem of Alex Ruoff and Joe Alexander. Both players scored 19 points apiece and combined for eight 3-pointers against the Golden Eagles. The dominant backcourt of Dominic James and Jerel McNeal didn’t have it on Sunday afternoon, with duo combining for only 20 points on 8-of-20 shooting. Lazard Hayward and Wesley Matthews led Marquette with each scoring 13 points. As James and McNeal go, so will Marquette, and unfortunately, the tandem couldn’t get into a rhythm or flow offensively, and neither could the Golden Eagles.
West Virginia’s defense caused havoc within the first 10 minutes of the game, causing nine Marquette turnovers that allowed West Virginia to go up 21-11 early. Marquette settled down and countered with a 12-0 run to go up 23-21 with four and a half minutes to play in the first half. After a see-saw first 20 minutes, West Virginia led at the break 29-28.
The Golden Eagles went on an 8-0 run in the first few minutes of the second half to lead 43-40, but West Virginia again countered, going on an 11-2 run to lead 51-46. Marquette couldn’t match the energy or tenacity, as the home crowd got into it and behind West Virginia, and the Mountaineers pulled away, leading by as many as 17 near the end of the game. West Virginia nailed an impressive 13 straight free throws over the final two minutes of play get the victory. The Mountaineers also held the rebounding edge, 38-26.
The loss marks the first time since Nov.21st Marquette has suffered a loss. Their 64 point effort is the lowest point total of the season for the Golden Eagles. No.10 Marquette will look to get back in the win column on Tuesday night when they host Seton Hall at 9 p.m. West Virginia will head to Louisville to take on the Cardinals on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Tags: Big East Basketball, Marquette Golden Eagles, NCAA Men's basketball, West Virginia Mountaineers