Andrew Rowsey

Marquette’s grip on Big East is slipping

March 3, 2019 By Bill Scott

The Marquette Golden Eagles had 22 turnovers and fell to the Creighton Blue Jays 66-60 on Sunday at Fiserv Forum.

The Golden Eagles (23-6, 12-4 Big East) trail Villanova (22-8, 13-4) by a half game in the Big East standings. The Wildcats have one game left, while Marquette has two games left.

Marquette turned it over 18 times in a loss at Villanova on Wednesday, then added to that total on Sunday.

After falling behind 19-11, junior guard Markus Howard scored 21 straight points for the Golden Eagles to put them ahead late in the first half. Marquette went into the locker room at halftime leading 33-29.

In the second half, Marquette led 54-50 with under seven minutes to play, but Creighton went on a 10-0 run to go up 60-54 with 2:16 left. The Golden Eagles wouldn’t get any closer than four the rest of the way.

Howard finished with 33 points, giving him 740 for the season. he broke Andrew Roswey’s single-season scoring record of 716 points, set last season.

A week ago, it looked as if Marquette was in the driver’s seat for the Big East title and top seed in the upcoming tournament. Now that race will go down to the wire. Marquette returns to action on Wednesday night at Seton Hall. They’ll close the regular season at home on Saturday against Georgetown.

Rowsey’s career comes to an end in NIT quarterfinals

March 21, 2018 By Bill Scott

Senior Andrew Rowsey – Photo courtesy of Marquette Athletics.

Marquette’s post-season run ended in the N.I.T. quarterfinals, falling 85-80 to the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Al McGuire Center on Tuesday night.

Senior Andrew Rowsey poured in 29 points in his final game with the Golden Eagles. He ends the year with 716 points, surpassing Dwyane Wade’s 710 points recorded during the 2002-03 Final Four season. He also tied a season-best with six 3-pointers to move him past Steve Novak (121 in 2005-06) into first in Marquette single season history with 125 triples.

Markus Howard added 21 points for the Golden Eagles (21-14) while Sam Hauser finished with 13 points.

The Nittany Lions (24-13) will face either Mississippi State or Louisville at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 27. They advanced to the NIT semifinals for the first time since winning the 2009 tournament. Penn State is now 6-0 in N.I.T. quarterfinal games.

Marquette advances to NIT Quarterfinals

March 19, 2018 By Bill Scott

Andrew Rowsey – Photo Courtesy of Marquette Athletics

The Marquette Golden Eagles advanced to the NIT quarterfinals with a 101-92 win over Oregon on Sunday afternoon at the Al McGuire Center.

Andrew Rowsey poured in 29 points and Marquette (21-13) led by as many as 25 before the Ducks used full court pressure to close the gap in the fourth quarter. Rowsey scored 22 of his 29 in the first half, tying his own career high with six 3-pointers in the first two frames.

Markus Howard added 18 points but fouled out, along with Matt Heldt and Sacar Anim.

Freshman Greg Elliott and Theo John added 13 and 10 points, respectively. MiKyle McIntosh had 25 to lead the Ducks (23-13).

The Golden Eagles will host Penn State in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night at the Al McGuire Center. The Nittany Lions advanced by knocking off top-seeded Notre Dame.

Marquette survives and advances in NIT (AUDIO)

March 15, 2018 By Bill Scott

Markus Howard – Photo Courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Despite 17 turnovers and a struggling offense, the Marquette Golden Eagles survived and knocked off Harvard 67-60 in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament.

With the two teams struggled while playing under new NIT rules, including a longer three-point line. They collectively combined to shoot 18 of 53 from the field while committing 18 turnovers.

Marquette led 27-21 at the half, then pushed their lead to 19 in the fourth quarter. Harvard was able to then cut the lead to five at 65-60, large in part to Marquette turnovers.

Markus Howard had 22 points to lead the Golden Eagles (20-13), who advance to the second round against Oregon at the Al McGuire Center on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Andrew Rowsey added 15 and Sophomore forward Sam Hauser was held to four points on 2-of-5 shooting. He was in foul trouble throughout and played just 15 minutes.

The Golden Eagles hit 7 of 16 three pointers from the longer distance of 22 feet, 1 3/4 inches.

AUDIO: Steve Wojciechowski said it’s a big game for his team :14

AUDIO: Steve Wojciechowski on Marquette’s defense :20

AUDIO: Markus Howard says they didn’t want their season to end :22

Marquette falls to Villanova in Big East quarterfinals

March 9, 2018 By Bill Scott

Steve Wojciechowski – File Photo (Courtesy of Marquette Athletics)

Marquette’s NCAA Tournament hopes took a big hit on Thursday night when they fell to Big East power Villanova 94-70 in New York.

Jay Wright became the winningest coach in Villanova history with 414 wins (414-165).

The Wildcats (28-4) took control in the second half as they shoot for their third Big East Tournament title in four years. Mikal Bridges hit four three-pointers and scored 25 points. Big East player of the year Jalen Brunson added 21 points. The Wildcats hit 15 of their 29 three’s, including 11 of 17 in the second half.

The Golden Eagles (19-13) got 23 points from Markus Howard and 22 from Andrew Rowsey in the loss.

Marquette will now sit and wait to see if their record, as well as the strength of the Big East Conference will be enough to get them into the NCAA Tournament. It would seem unlikely, but the Golden Eagles will stay prepared for whatever postseason tournament comes calling.

“I believe we’re an NCAA Tournament team,” Coach Steve Wojciechowski said. “But that’s not something I get to decide on. I think our team has had a really good year, especially considering our youth. And I think our team is capable of winning games in the NCAA Tournament.

Villanova moves into tonight’s Big East semifinals against Butler.

Marquette holds off DePaul, advances in Big East Tournament

March 8, 2018 By Bill Scott

Sam Hauser – Photo Courtesy of Marquette athletics.

The Marquette Golden Eagles lived to play another day at the Big East Tournament, holding off the DePaul Blue Demons 72-69 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Andrew Rowsey poured in a game high 25 points, while Sam Hauser added 16 and Sacar Anim 14 for the Golden Eagles, who advanced to Thursday nights matchup against second-seeded Villanova. The Wildcats are the defending Big East Tournament champions.

Hauser scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half. he hit a pair of free throws with 32 seconds left to put Marquette (19-12, 9-9 Big East) up four before DePaul’s Max Strus hit a three pointer to pull the Blue Demons within one, 70-69.

After Rowsey turned the ball over at midcourt, Strus missed a three pointer that would have given the Blue Demons the lead. Rowsey grabbed the rebound and sank two more free throws to give Marquette the three-point win.

Marquette has now advanced to the Big East quarterfinals in every season since it became a league member in 2005-06. Their matchup with Villanova tips off at 6 p.m. tonight on FS1.

Marquette knocks off Georgetown in OT

February 27, 2018 By Bill Scott

Andrew Rowsey – File Photo Courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Senior guard Andrew Rowsey and sophomore forward Sam Hauser poured in 28 points each to lead the Marquette Golden Eagles to a 90-86 win in overtime at Georgetown.

The Golden Eagles (17-12, 8-9 Big East) hit 18 of 31 from three-point distance, helping offset 14 turnovers and Georgetown’s 26 points in the paint.

Marquette closes out its regular season on Saturday at home against Creighton. That will be followed by the start of the Big East Tournament next week at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Marquette knocks off St. John’s

February 22, 2018 By Bill Scott

Sam Hauser – Photo courtesy of Marquette athletics.

The Marquette Golden Eagles continued its late-season push for a spot in the NCAA Tournament Field by knocking off St. John’s 85-73 on Wednesday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Sam Hauser led five Marquette players in double figures with 24 points.

The Golden Eagles (16-11, 7-8 Big East) led by just four points at halftime but separated themselves in the second half. They handed St. John’s (14-14, 3-12) with its first loss in the last five games.

Marquette hit its first four 3-pointers of the second half and helped the Golden Eagles led by as many as 20 points in the stanza.

Senior guard Andrew Rowsey added 19 points and eight assists, while Sacar Anim, Jamal Cain and Greg Elliott had 11 points apiece. [Read more…]

Howard is doubtful for Wednesday against St. John’s

February 20, 2018 By Bill Scott

Markus Howard – File Photo Courtesy of Marquette Athletics

Marquette’s top scorer Markus Howard is doubtful for Wednesday’s rematch against St. John’s at the Bradley Center. Howard suffered a right hip contusion on the Golden Eagles 90-86 win over Creighton on Saturday night in Omaha, Nebraska.

Howard is averaging 21.3 points a game, which ranks second in the Big East behind St. John’s guard Samorie Ponds (21.6 ppg).

Howard was hurt when he was fouled by Creighton’s Toby Hegner on a drive to the basket late in the first half. He landed hard on his right side and stayed on the floor for several minutes. Howard was helped off the court and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

If Howard can’t play on Wednesday, it’ll be the first time he will have missed a game this season.

Marquette (15-11, 6-8 Big East) kept its NCAA Tournament hopes alive with their win at Creighton. Now they have to keep it going against St. John’s (14-11, 3-11) when the two teams hook up for the second time this season.

St. John’s won the first meeting 86-78 on February 10. Andrew Rowsey led the Golden Eagles with 34 points in the loss.