No. 25 Marquette holds off New Hampshire 58-53
MILWAUKEE — Chris Otule and Todd Mayo each scored 16 points to help No. 25 Marquette withstand a scare from New Hampshire in a 58-53 victory Thursday night.
Jamil Wilson added nine points, three steals and two blocks for the Golden Eagles (3-1), who shot just 32.7 percent (17 of 52) from the floor — including 13.6 percent (3 for 22) from 3-point range.
Patrick Konan had 14 points and 10 rebounds for New Hampshire (2-2). Chris Pelcher, the reigning America East player of the week, managed only six points and fouled out with 9:41 left.
It was the first meeting between the schools and the first game for Marquette since shooting 18.9 percent Saturday in a 52-35 loss to Ohio State that snapped the Golden Eagles’ home winning streak at 27 games — the longest active streak in the country at the time.
It also was the lowest point total for Marquette since a 55-35 loss to DePaul in 2000, and the Golden Eagles looked sluggish again at times on Thursday, failing to make a field goal in the final 4:19.
A 3-pointer by Jordan Bronner from the left wing cut Marquette’s lead to 53-49 with 42.9 seconds remaining. After a timeout, Bronner fouled Mayo on the inbounds play, and his two free throws made it 55-49.
Mayo added a free throw on Marquette’s next possession, and after a missed 3 by Tommy McDonnel, Otule sank another free throw for a 57-50 lead with 12.5 seconds left.
Daniel Dion drilled a 3-pointer for New Hampshire with 6.6 seconds left before Otule closed out the scoring with a free throw with 5.7 seconds to go.
Had Pelcher not fouled out with so much time remaining, the outcome could have been much different. Steve Taylor drew Pelcher’s fifth foul and made one of two free throws for a 41-27 Marquette lead.
In the first half, New Hampshire struggled early and then Marquette took its turn with about 10 minutes left.
After a turnaround jumper by Pelcher gave his team a 2-0 lead, the Wildcats missed their next 10 shots. Marquette scored 17 unanswered points and held a 17-3 lead after two free throws by Mayo with 11:08 to go.
A jumper by Otule gave Marquette a 19-5 lead with 10:25 remaining, but the Golden Eagles closed out the half 0 for 12 from the floor and held a 25-18 halftime lead. It was so bad for Marquette, Wilson even missed a dunk as time expired.