MILWAUKEE — In an impressive display of skill, Kam Jones led the No. 10 Marquette Golden Eagles to a decisive 94-62 win over Western Carolina on Saturday, racking up 20 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.
Marquette (8-0) has now achieved its best start since the 2011-12 season, during which the team won its first ten games and ultimately reached the Sweet 16 with a final record of 27-8.
Jones nearly secured his second triple-double of the season, exiting the game with 5:42 left on the clock shortly after recording his tenth assist. Previously, the 6-foot-5 guard posted 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory against No. 13 Purdue on November 19.
Unfortunately, an injury occurred late in the game as Marquette reserve guard Zaide Lowery was escorted to the locker room, visibly in pain and clutching his left knee.
In addition to Jones, Ben Gold contributed 12 points while Stevie Mitchell added another 10 for the Golden Eagles. For Western Carolina (2-4), Bernard Pelote led with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Jamar Livingston chipped in with 10 points.
Key Highlights:
Western Carolina is currently on a three-game losing streak, having faced strong opponents in their recent contests. They suffered defeats against Wake Forest (82-69) on November 19 and Florida State (91-57) on Tuesday.
Marquette, on the other hand, is celebrating a second consecutive commanding victory, having trounced Stonehill 90-57 just three days prior. The Golden Eagles are gearing up for a tougher challenge ahead, as they prepare to face No. 5 Iowa State on Wednesday and host No. 15 Wisconsin next Saturday.
A significant turning point in the game came when Western Carolina, after falling behind by as many as 16 points, managed to rally with a quick seven-point run, narrowing Marquette’s lead to 37-28 with just under four minutes remaining in the first half. Marquette responded decisively by outscoring Western Carolina 12-2 for the remainder of the half and extending their lead with a basket to start the second half. From that point, the Golden Eagles’ lead never dipped below 17 points.
Statistically, Marquette showcased their offensive prowess, shooting 51.4% (37 of 72) from the field. This marks the third consecutive game in which the Golden Eagles have successfully shot 50% or better from the floor.
Looking ahead, Western Carolina is set to host Bellarmine on Wednesday, while Marquette will travel to Iowa State for their next matchup.