CHICAGO — In a thrilling showdown, David Joplin sank two crucial 3-pointers during overtime, helping No. 7 Marquette secure an intense 85-83 win over DePaul on Tuesday evening.

Joplin led the way with a total of 30 points, shooting 9-for-17 from the field. Kam Jones contributed with 18 points and dished out 11 assists for Marquette, who improved to 15-2 overall and 6-0 in the Big East, marking their sixth straight victory.

The Golden Eagles gained momentum in overtime as Joplin’s back-to-back 3-pointers propelled them to a 73-67 advantage. Stevie Mitchell followed up with two offensive rebounds that resulted in baskets, extending the score to 77-69 with just 1:22 left on the clock.

Marquette had additional scoring support from Chase Ross, who netted 15 points, and Ben Gold, who added 14 points to the mix.

On the other side, CJ Gunn topped DePaul’s scoring with 21 points. Isaiah Rivera supported with 20 points, while Conor Enright not only scored 11 points but also recorded 11 assists. DePaul, now at 9-9 overall and 0-7 in conference play, dominated the boards with a 46-31 rebounding advantage and outscored Marquette’s bench 27-0. Unfortunately for the Blue Demons, their recent search for a Big East win continued, with their last conference victory dated March 8, 2023, against Seton Hall.

Jacob Meyer added 12 points for DePaul but had a critical turnover in the game’s closing moments of overtime.

Marquette found themselves trailing 65-61 with under a minute left in regulation. Jones drained a 3-pointer to cut the lead, and after a turnover by Enright, Ross hit another 3-pointer, giving the Golden Eagles a narrow lead.

In a desperate attempt to tie the game, DePaul quickly moved down the court, where Enright scored a layup that tied the game following a goaltending call against Gold.

Key Insights:
Marquette: Despite the win, the Golden Eagles had moments they would like to improve upon.
DePaul: The Blue Demons shot an impressive 52% from the field (33 for 64), showing potential against one of the top teams in the Big East.

Crucial Moment:
Even though Joplin missed two free throws late in overtime, DePaul couldn’t convert a shot before the final buzzer, sealing the game for Marquette.

Stat of Note:
At the free-throw line, Marquette converted 14 of 24 attempts, while DePaul made 5 of 8.

Next Matchups:
Marquette is set to host Xavier on Saturday, having previously defeated the Musketeers 72-70 on December 21. Meanwhile, DePaul will travel to face Georgetown on Friday night.