#MUBB Drops 76-73 Decision to Villanova

The Marquette University men's basketball team (6-11, 1-5 BIG EAST) fell to Villanova (13-3, 4-1 BIG EAST) Saturday afternoon at Fiserv Forum.

Freshman Nigel James Jr. led the Golden Eagles with a career-high shooting night, scoring 31 points on 11-for-14 shooting from the field and 7-for-9 from behind the three-point line, while also netting six assists. Royce Parham tallied 17 points, including 15 in the second half, while four different Golden Eagles tied for the team-high with four rebounds each.

Each team started with early stops, but the Wildcats started hot shooting, knocking down three-straight three-pointers. James Jr. responded with eight early points, including a trio of treys, helping MU keep a one-point deficit, 19-18, at the first whistle. Villanova responded with a 6-0 run of their own to open a five-point lead, but tough shots from Tre Norman and Ben Gold fell and kept MU close. Ross knocked down a three to knot the score at 25, and another shot beyond-the-arc from Villanova gave them a three-point advantage with under eight to go in the half.

Despite a nearly four-minute scoring drought from MU, Michael Phillips II broke it with a three to bring it within two, 30-28. James Jr. kept his hot shooting, scoring 19 first-half points, including a monster steal-and-slam to give Marquette a 33-32 lead with three to go in the half, their first of the game. The visitors were able to build on their advantage before the break, holding a 44-38 lead at halftime.

The second half began strong for the Golden Eagles, trimming the deficit back to two with another five from James Jr., but the Wildcats continued to shoot efficiently beyond-the-arc to keep the advantage at the first timeout of the second half. Villanova continued their efficient shooting, but the Golden Eagles got aggressive in their approach, drawing fouls and getting in the bonus with nearly 10 minutes remaining. Another steal-and-slam for James Jr. cut the deficit to three, with each team trading made baskets and stops on the defensive end, and the Wildcats maintaining a five-point cushion with seven to go.

The heat began to rise for MU on both ends of the court, with multiple efforts and deflections on the defensive end leading to a 6-0 run to again cut the lead to one for Villanova, forcing a timeout from the visitors. After a basket from VU and a Marquette timeout with 1:39 left, Parham made a tough layup to cut it to one, but the Wildcats found an answer to go back up three with seven seconds remaining. A missed three on the last possession by MU ultimately gave the Wildcats a 76-73 victory.

UP NEXT

The Golden Eagles head to New York to take on St. John's next Tuesday, Jan. 13, for a 5:30 p.m. CT tipoff.

NOTABLES

MU knocked down eight threes in the first half, the most in a half this season.
James Jr. scored 19 in the first half and five threes, the most of any Golden Eagle in a half this season, and the most since David Joplin netted 20 points against Stonehill on Nov. 27, 2024
James Jr. has scored double figures in nine of the last 10 games.
James Jr. established new career-highs in points (31), three-pointers made (seven), and field goals made (11).
James Jr. is the first Marquette true freshman since Markus Howard in 2016-17 to score 30-or-more points. He finished with 34 points on 9-of-12 shooting from deep against Xavier on Feb. 18, 2017.
James Jr.'s seven 3-pointers are the most since David Joplin knocked down seven against DePaul (1/14/25)
Royce Parham scored in double-figures for the second-straight game, and third of the last four.