University of Northern Iowa
Marquette
Marquette Tops Panthers 73-43
11/28/2008 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2008
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – The No. 15-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles finished with three players in double-digits in its 73-43 win over the University of Northern Iowa in the third game of the Chicago Invitational Challenge.
Marquette jumped to an early 10-2 lead after Lazar Hayward drained a three off a steal by Maurice Acker. Back-to-back buckets by Adam Koch and Johnny Moran pulled the Panthers within 10-6, but Marquette would then go on a 22-2 run, to take a commanding lead at 32-8 with 4:40 left in the first half.
UNI attempted to cut into the Eagles lead with three pointers from Ahelegbe and Farokhmanesh and two free throws from Koch to pull within 32-16, but 16 points was as close as the Panthers would get the rest of the way.
Marquette shot 42% in the first half, including almost 43% from behind the arc, while holding the Panthers to just 33% and a mere 2-for-9 on three pointers.
The Panthers opened the second half with a quick lay-up by center Jordan Eglseder and Moran drained a three, but the Eagles hot-shooting continued, connecting on 13 of 27 shots from the floor in the second half.
Three Eagles scored in double-digits, with Wesley Matthews scoring 17, Lazar Hayward with 15 and Jerel McNeal registering 13. Ahelegbe led the way for the Panthers, tying his season-high with 11 points. Eglseder finished with eight points and six rebounds.
Despite holding Eglseder and Koch to 14 points combined, the Panthers were still able to out-score the Eagles 24-18 in the paint.
The Panthers (3-2) will play their final game in the Chicago Invitational Challenge tomorrow taking on Auburn. Tip-off from the Sears Centre is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
