The Marquette Golden Eagles were looking to keep pace with the top of the Big East standings, but a tough loss to St. John's on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden put a dent in their aspirations. The No. 11-ranked Golden Eagles, despite putting up a fierce fight, were handed a 70-64 defeat by the 12th-ranked Red Storm. This loss pushed Marquette further away from the top spot in the conference, with St. John's moving into a more commanding position.
Back-to-Back Losses for Marquette
Marquette (18-5, 9-3 Big East) was hoping to bounce back after a tough loss to Connecticut in their previous game, but this encounter against St. John's proved just as challenging. The Golden Eagles are now facing a crucial stretch of games as they look to regroup. The Red Storm (20-3, 11-1) have now created some breathing room atop the standings, and Marquette must overcome this setback to keep their hopes alive.
But the road doesn't get any easier for Marquette. They’ll face Creighton (16-6, 9-2) on Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska, a game that promises to be another test of their resilience. Creighton, who will be coming off a game against Providence on Wednesday, is no slouch. The Bluejays will be looking to take advantage of any weaknesses Marquette might have shown in their recent games.
The Final Moments: A Rollercoaster Finish
The game was tightly contested until the very end. With just 5:20 left on the clock, Marquette briefly took a 55-54 lead after a big three-pointer from Kam Jones. But St. John's quickly responded, regaining the lead at 59-57 on a pair of free throws by Zuby Ejiofor. What followed was a gritty, physical finish, with both teams being sent to the free-throw line multiple times.
St. John's, known for its tenacious play and superior defense, didn’t just rely on their scoring but dominated the boards as well, especially on the offensive end. The Red Storm finished with an impressive 21 offensive rebounds, a stat that truly made a difference in this hard-fought battle. Kadary Richmond led the way for St. John's with 18 points and 11 rebounds, showcasing his all-around game.
Marquette, on the other hand, was led by Chase Ross, who finished with 16 points. Kam Jones added 15 points, but their efforts weren't enough to overcome the relentless pressure from St. John’s.
Zaide Lowery: A Spark for Marquette
While the Golden Eagles struggled to come together for a full 40 minutes, one bright spot was Zaide Lowery’s performance off the bench. After checking in at the 12:12 mark of the first half, Lowery wasted no time making an impact. Just a minute after entering the game, he sliced through the defense to finish with a crafty layup. Then, just 30 seconds later, Lowery drained a three-pointer, giving the Golden Eagles a needed boost.
The sophomore guard’s confidence grew as the game progressed, and by halftime, Lowery had contributed 10 points, one shy of his career high. His energy and sharp shooting helped Marquette briefly take a 31-30 lead into the locker room. Lowery finished the game with a career-high 12 points, further proving his potential as a reliable contributor off the bench. As a team, the Golden Eagles’ reserves had a solid outing, scoring 24 points, but it still wasn’t enough to overcome St. John’s.
Looking Ahead: Tough Challenges Await Marquette
With this defeat behind them, the Golden Eagles know the road ahead is not only tough but absolutely critical if they hope to stay in contention for the Big East title. Their next five games will be pivotal in determining their fate. The first challenge on the horizon is a tough showdown against Creighton on February 8, which will be another litmus test for Marquette's abilities. After that, they will return home to face DePaul on February 11, followed by a game against Seton Hall on February 18.
February is shaping up to be a critical month for the Golden Eagles. They’ll also take on Villanova on February 21 before wrapping up the month with a home game against Providence on February 25. With so much on the line, Marquette must shake off the loss to St. John’s and refocus on what’s next.
The Matchup: Marquette vs. St. John’s
For fans looking to relive the action, Marquette's game against St. John's took place on Tuesday, February 4, at 5:30 p.m. CT from the iconic Madison Square Garden. The game was televised on FS1, with Jason Benetti handling play-by-play duties and Bill Raftery providing analysis. For those unable to catch it live, the game was available for streaming through the Fox Sports app, as well as via Fubo’s free trial for new subscribers.
In terms of matchups, St. John’s presented a tough challenge for the Golden Eagles. Known for one of the best defenses in the country, the Red Storm were able to stifle Marquette's offense at key moments, particularly in the second half. Their rebounding ability, especially on the offensive glass, was a difference-maker. With multiple players capable of crashing the boards and making plays on both ends, St. John’s has established itself as one of the toughest teams in the conference.
On the other hand, Marquette has shown that they can compete with anyone when they’re firing on all cylinders. However, their struggles from beyond the arc have been a cause for concern. Marquette will need to rediscover their shooting touch if they want to get back on track and challenge for the top spot in the Big East.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Marquette?
As February unfolds, Marquette is at a crossroads. Their next few games will determine whether they can recover from this tough stretch and continue to compete at a high level in the Big East. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Golden Eagles respond to adversity. Can they bounce back against Creighton, DePaul, and Seton Hall? The clock is ticking, and the Golden Eagles have their work cut out for them.
To make a deep run in the tournament and claim a strong position in the standings, Marquette needs to work on maintaining consistency throughout the course of the game. A solid team effort, coupled with some big individual performances like those from Lowery, could be just what they need to turn things around and reassert themselves as one of the premier teams in the conference.
As we look forward to Marquette’s upcoming schedule, there's no doubt that every game will carry significant weight. Whether they can continue to fight through adversity and take advantage of their opportunities will determine how their season unfolds. Stay tuned—Marquette's journey is far from over!
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