Markus Howard – Photo: Courtesy of Marquette Athletics.
The Marquette Golden Eagles got 23 points from 17-year-old freshman Markus Howard and 20 points from senior guard JaJuan Johnson in Wednesday night’s 76-66 Big East opener at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
Howard was playing in his very first Big East game but showed no signs of nervousness. He hit seven of ten from the field and five of six from three-point range.
Markus Howard’s 23 points are the most for a Marquette player in their Big East debut since Jae Crowder’s 29 points in 2011.
Marquette (10-3, 1-0 Big East) jumped out to a 11-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
The Golden Eagles follow up their win over the Hoyas with a pair of road games at Seton Hall and at number-one Villanova.
AUDIO: Steve Wojciechowski on Markus Howard ;17
Marquette women win conference opener
The Marquette women won their Big East opener, knocking off Villanova 77-71 in Villanova, Pa.
Allazia Blockton’s 21 points led the way for the Golden Eagles (10-2, 1-0 Big East), who won their Big East conference opener for the first time since the 2013-’14 season.
Marquette shot 52.5% from the field.
Sophomore forward Erika Davenport added 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.