On just one day of rest for both teams after their season openers, Marquette hosts Southern for Game 2 of the new campaign on Wednesday night in Milwaukee.
The Golden Eagles kicked off their new season with an 80-53 victory over Albany on Monday night.
Preseason Big East first-team selection Chase Ross led the way with 15 points on just 4-of-7 shooting along with five assists and five steals. Zaide Lowery added 13 points.
“The biggest key in your first game is making sure your spirit and energy come first, who you are culturally have to come next, then the defense, then the offensive end,” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. “I thought our guys did a nice job of getting the order right, long way to go but quick turnaround for us we’re excited about Game 2.”
Marquette shot just 32.3% from the floor and 3-for-17 from deep in the first half, but cleaned up in the second half, shooting 51.9% from the field. The Golden Eagles also had 13 “kills” (three consecutive defensive stops), according to the program, a high mark for Smart’s five-year tenure.
Southern, members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, will play their second power-conference opponent in three days after falling 109-77 on the road at No. 14 Arkansas on Monday.
Michael Jacobs led Southern with 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting along with four assists. Fazl Oshodi added 15 points while DaMariee Jones scored nine.
Southern head coach Kevin Johnson was not able to make the trip to Arkansas due to illness. Assistant coach Jethro Hillman took over coaching duties and will do so again Wednesday.
Southern was picked to finish second in the SWAC preseason poll, with Jacobs being named to the preseason first team after averaging 11.3 points and 2.8 assists per game last season.
–Field Level Media
