MBB Minute: Marquette got 38 points from freshman Nigel James Jr. en route to a 105-104 overtime victory at home over Providence in the lone BIG EAST game on Monday night.

Marquette 105, Providence 104 OT - Box Score 
Marquette freshman guard Nigel James Jr. poured in a career-high 38 points, propelling the Golden Eagles to an overtime victory at home.  James Jr. connected on 13-of-20 shots from the floor, including 4-of-6 from the perimeter, and 8-of-11 from the free throw line.  Three of those free throws came in the final seconds of regulation, tying the game at 94-94 and forcing the extra frame.  Both teams started strong offensively, as Marquette connected on nearly 61% (20-33) of its shots and Providence 50% (15-30).  The Golden Eagles led for much of the first half, taking their biggest lead at the break after a Damarius Owens 3-pointer to close the half made it 54-44.  The Friars demonstrated their offensive strength in the second half, outscoring Marquette, 24-14, through the first eight minutes.  A layup by PC's Ryan Mela at the 12:16 mark tied it at 68-68.  Over the final nine and a half minutes, there were four ties and four lead changes, with each team trading two-possession leads.  Down four - 90-86 - with 1:37 to play in regulation, James Jr. scored the final eight points for Marquette, including a 3-pointer with 21 ticks left and the three free throws to force OT.  In the extra period, James Jr. scored six of Marquette's 11 points including a driving layup with 18 seconds left, tying it at 104-104.  A late Providence turnover led to a foul, and MU's Ben Gold made the go-ahead foul shot with less than four seconds left. Four other Marquette players scored in double figures, as Royce Parham had 18 points and Chase Ross 16 points and six assists. Gold chipped in with 14 and Owens added 12.  For Providence, Jaylin Sellers led the way with 27 points, while Vaaks added 26 (6-15 3FG). Jamier Jones added 17 points and nine boards while Oswin Erhunmwunse added 15 boards and three blocks.

Of Note:

• Marquette's Nigel James Jr.'s 38-point performance was the most by a BIG EAST player this season and is the most since Xavier's Ryan Conwell had 38 against Marquette on March 13, 2025.
• It is also the most points by a BIG EAST freshman since UConn's Liam McNeeley had 38 at Creighton on Feb. 11, 2025.
• James Jr. registered the sixth 38-point/8-assist performance of the season nationally
• It was the first in a BIG EAST game since Dominique Jones of USF posted 46 points and eight assists against Providence on Jan. 23, 2010.
• Providence freshman Stefan Vaaks poured in a season-best 26 points and has reached double digits in each of his first 19 games - the first BIG EAST freshman to do so since Syracuse’s Carmelo Anthony during the 2002-03 season
• He is also the first BIG EAST freshman since Villanova's Scottie Reynolds to score 20 or more points in four consecutive games.  Reynolds did so between Feb. 19-March 3, 2007. 
• It marked the second BIG EAST game this season where both teams reached the 100-point mark.
• Butler and Providence began BIG EAST play with a 113-110 double overtime affair on Dec. 13, 2025

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Today's Action: There are a pair of games set for Tuesday in the BIG EAST, as Seton Hall travels to face St. John's and DePaul heads to Butler.

Tuesday, Jan. 20

FS1
Seton Hall at St. John's - 7 p.m. ET
Jason Benetti (pxp); Bill Raftery (analyst)

truTV
DePaul at Butler - 7:30 p.m. ET
Spero Dedes (pxp); Greg Anthony (analyst); Andy Katz (reporter)

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Looking Ahead:  Wednesday also features a pair of 7 p.m. tipoffs in BIG EAST play, as Xavier visits Creighton and Georgetown heads to Villanova.

FS1
Xavier at Creighton - 7 p.m. ET
Connor Onion (pxp); Nick Bahe (analyst)

Peacock / NBC Sports Network
Georgetown at Villanova - 7 p.m. ET
Mike Corey (pxp); Brendan Haywood (analyst)

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BIG EAST Men's Basketball Public Availability Reports

Beginning in 2025-26, the BIG EAST Conference will provide public reports on the availability of student-athletes in conference games in the sports of men's and women's basketball. 

Men's Basketball Availability Report

BIG EAST schools will be required to submit availability reports three hours before the scheduled tipoff time.  Under the reporting structure, players will be designated as "questionable" or "out."  Availability reports will be posted on the BIG EAST website throughout the 2025-26 season.