Needing a victory after Thursday’s loss at home to Pittsburgh, the Marquette Men went on the road and knocked off Cincinnati in overtime 79-76. Darius Johnson-Odom and Lazar Hayward each scored 20-points to lead the Golden Eagles. Hayward’s 3-pointer with 27.5 seconds left tied the game at 67 to force overtime.
The difference in this game can be found by looking at the charity stripe. Marquette hit 16 of 17 (94.1%) while Cincinnati connected on just 8 of 16 (50.o%).
With the win, Marquette improves to (17-9) overall and (8-6) in the Big East. Cincinnati (6-8, 15-11) was also a bubble team and could have tied Marquette in Big East play with a win.
Marquette has four-games left before the Big East tournament; at St. John’s, at Seton Hall, home with Louisville and home with Notre Dame. Only Louisville holds an above .500 Big East Mark.