#MUBB Pulls Away For 78-43 Win Over Mercyhurst In Opener

Monday, November 2

Milwaukee, WI

6:30 P.M. CT

Marquette University

1-0,0-0Big East

Mercyhurst

0-1,0-0NEC

Team	1	2	F
Mercyhurst	14	29	43
Marquette	36	42	78

11/2/2026 9:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score MU-Mercyhurst Box Score (PDF)Highlights (YouTube)Clark-Fru Postgame Presser (YouTube)Shaka Smart Postgame Presser Photo Gallery

Forward Josh Clark nets career-high 18 points

By: Communications

MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University men's basketball team opened its 2026-27 regular season with a 78-43 victory over Mercyhurst on Monday evening at Fiserv Forum.

Josh Clark led the Golden Eagles with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Royce Parham added 16 points and seven rebounds. Sananda Fru recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards.

Marquette opened the contest with a 7-0 run over 1:20, building a 15-2 advantage. The Golden Eagles followed with another 7-0 run, extending their lead to 19 points, 27-8 with 4:25 remaining in the first half.

At halftime, Marquette held a 36-14 lead over the Lakers, with 22 of its 36 first-half points coming from inside the paint.

The Lakers opened the second half with a shot clock violation, giving possession back to Marquette. The Golden Eagles capitalized on the next possession, extending their lead to 44-14 with 17:23 left in the competition.

Marquette continued to build its advantage late in the second half, closing out a 16-2 run over 6:57 to take a 71-29 lead with 4:25 remaining in regulation.

The Golden Eagles delivered a strong defensive performance, recording nine blocks and nine steals while forcing 17 turnovers, converting them into 16 points. Marquette also controlled the glass, outrebounding Mercyhurst, 49-26, including 29 defensive rebounds and 20 offensive boards.

UP NEXT: The Golden Eagles continue their 2026-27 regular season on Friday, Nov. 6 when the team hosts Detroit Mercy at the Al McGuire Center in a student-only game.

NOTABLES

Nolan Minessale, Colin Porter, Alex Egbuonu, Ethan Johnston, Ian Miletic, Colton Crowdis and Nash Walker all made their respective Marquette debuts Monday night.
Marquette led 36-14 at the intermission, the fewest first-half points allowed since Loyola Maryland netted just 14 points in the 2019-20 season lidlifter on Nov. 5, 2019.
Sophomore forward Josh Clark finished with a career-high 18 points and a personal-best with seven boards.