MBB Minute: Nigel James Jr. led five Marquette players in double figures with 20 points as Marquette pulled away from Georgetown in the second half on Tuesday night.  Ben Gold tallied his first collegiate double-double, with 10 points and 12 rebounds.  


Tuesday, Feb. 24

Marquette 76, Georgetown 60 - Box Score 

• Nigel James Jr. logged his seventh 20-point performance in BIG EAST play, leading Marquette to its first road win of the season.  The freshman guard also had six rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
• The Hoyas led for much of the opening 12:00, holding a 24-18 lead with 8:45 to play in the half.
• Marquette would respond with a 15-1 run over the next 5:00, taking the lead for good.
• James would score 12 of the 15 points during the run; the Golden Eagles led 40-35 at the break.
• Caleb Williams opened the second half with a 3-pointer for the Hoyas, getting within two (40-38), four different MU players scored during a 15-4 surge that put the game out of reach.
• The Golden Eagles would lead by as many as 18 points late in the game.
• Ben Gold registered his first collegiate double-double, finishing with 10 points and 12 rebounds for Marquette.  Adrien Stevens had 16 points, while Chase Ross finished with 14 and Damarius Owens 10.
• For the Hoyas, Vince Iwuchukwu led the way with 19 points and seven rebounds.  Isaiah Abraham added 13 points and six boards.

Of Note:

• Marquette's Nigel James Jr. tallied his seventh 20+ point performance in BIG EAST play.  It is the second-most by a freshman this season, behind Providence's Stefan Vaaks' eight.
• It marks the first time since the 2007-08 season that two BIG EAST freshmen have tallied 20 or more on at least seven occasions in league play. 
• That year, Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and USF's Dominique Jones each registered seven games with at least 20 points.
• Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony (12) and Boston College's Craig Smith (10) had the most 20-point games by a freshman in BIG EAST play during the 2002-03 season.

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Today’s Action:  There are four BIG EAST games set for Wednesday, highlighted by a top 15 matchup in Hartford, as No. 15/15 St. John's takes on No. 6/6 UConn at 7 p.m. ET.  The game is part of a doubleheader on Peacock and NBCSN, followed by DePaul visiting Creighton for a 9 p.m. ET tip.  Butler heads to Villanova on FS1 at 7 p.m. ET, and Xavier takes on Providence at 7:30 p.m. on truTV and HBO Max.

Wednesday, Feb. 25
   
Peacock; NBC Sports Network
St. John's at UConn - 7 p.m. ET
John Fanta (pxp); Robbie Hummel (analyst); Caroline Pineda (reporter)

DePaul at Creighton - 9 p.m ET
Paul Burmeister (pxp); Nick Bahe (analyst)

FS1
Butler at Villanova - 7 p.m. ET
Alex Faust (pxp); Donny Marshall (analyst)

truTV; HBO Max
Xavier at Providence - 7:30 p.m. ET
JB Long (pxp); Greg Anthony (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.