MBB Minute – Creighton, Marquette Win By Nine On Monday
Both Creighton and Marquette picked up nine-point home victories on Monday led by a player named Marcus/Markus.
The Bluejays beat defending Sun Belt champion UT-Arlington 90-81 and Marquette knocked off Northern Illinois 79-70.
Creighton’s Marcus Foster poured in 32 points to lead Creighton (9-2). He also had six rebounds and four assists. Khyri Thomas added 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. The Bluejays built a 52-32 lead by halftime with Foster getting 22 of his points, then held off a second-half rally. Coach Greg McDermott gained his 175
th win at Creighton. His record is 175-84.
For Marquette, Markus Howard scored 26 points in the win over Northern Illinois. Howard also dished four assists and had only one turnover in 37 minutes. He was 9-of-9 from the foul line and 36-of-36 for the season. Sam Hauser added 21 points. Andrew Rowsey, who scored 11 points, suffered a leg injury in the second half and did not return. His status for Thursday’s game against American is not known.
Tuesday’s schedule brings another pair of games and another doubleheader on FS1. At 6:30 p.m. ET, No. 9 Xavier hosts Marshall. The Musketeers (10-1) are aiming to add to their five-game winning streak and extend their home winning streak against non-conference foes to 39 games.
In the second game, Butler hosts Morehead State. The Bulldogs (8-3) will try to bounce back from a Saturday loss to Purdue. Butler has a 41-game winning streak at Hinkle Fieldhouse against non-league competition, the third longest streak in the country behind Duke and Arizona.
After Monday’s victories, BIG EAST teams have won 46 of the last 55 games overall. For the season, the BIG EAST non-conference record is 86-22 (.796).
In the national polls released on Monday, Villanova remained No. 1 in both the Associated Press and USA Today rankings. Xavier is 8th in USA Today and ninth in AP. Seton Hall is tied for 22nd in USA Today poll and 23rd in AP. Creighton is 24th in USA Today and got back into AP at No. 25.