We were reminded today that anything can happen in March.
Marquette stunned No. 4 UConn 68-62, sending the Golden Eagles' home crowd into a huge celebration on senior day, handing the Huskies a costly late-season loss.
UConn entered the matchup on a three-game winning streak and a 9-1 road record this season. Marquette, meanwhile had struggled for much of the year, sitting near the bottom of the Big East standings with an 11-19 overall record. The Huskies won the last six meetings against Marquette including earlier this season, 73-57.
But the rematch brought a different level of intensity on senior day for the Golden Eagles.
GENERATING!⚡️🔋
— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB)
8-0 run by !!
MU leads 49-45. TO UConn. | Watch on FOX
Freshman Nigel James Jr. led the way, finishing with 19 points and seven assists while controlling the tempo of the game throughout the afternoon. Royce Parham added 13 points and five rebounds, providing timely scoring as Marquette held a solid lead throughout the second half.
Senior Ben Gold delivered a huge late moment in his last game at the Fiserv Forum. After a missed shot, Gold soared in the air for a powerful put-back slam that pushed Marquette's lead to eight with less than three minutes remaining.
BEN FREAKIN' GOLD!🤯🤯
— Marquette Basketball (@MarquetteMBB)
UConn struggled to find a rhythm on offense all day, as the Huskies shot just 36% from the field and went a shocking 3-for-24 from 3-point range. Despite grabbing 16 offensive rebounds, they were unable to capitalize on these second chances. The Golden Eagles did a great job of keeping UConn's lead Alex Karaban in check, as he finished with just two points.
This loss could have postseason implications for the Huskies, as it might complicate their chances of securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, while Marquette's victory helped St. John's clinch the Big East regular-season title.
UConn finished the regular season at 27-4 and will turn its attention to the Big East tournament, where the Huskies will enter as the No. 2 seed.
