Marquette University’s men’s basketball team delivered a powerful performance, defeating Purdue by a score of 76-58. This victory marks Marquette’s 18th win under Coach Shaka Smart against teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. Notably, the Golden Eagles have now achieved a remarkable 3-0 record against teams ranked sixth in the AP poll.
One standout player in this game was Jones, who achieved a historic triple-double — the first for a Marquette player since Dwyane Wade accomplished the feat in 2003. Jones contributed 17 points, while also recording a career-high 13 rebounds and 10 assists. His tenth assist came off a crucial 3-pointer from Mitchell, who also set a personal best with 21 points and was perfect at the free-throw line, hitting all eight attempts.
Marquette showcased strong teamwork, with four players scoring in double figures. This included junior Ben Gold, who scored a season-high 11 points, and Chase Ross, who added 12 points along with five rebounds and four steals. The Golden Eagles dominated in the paint, outscoring Purdue 38-22, and capitalized on turnovers, converting 18 points off 15 Boilermakers mistakes.
This victory also ended Purdue’s 39-game non-conference winning streak, the fourth-longest in NCAA Division I history, and it marked Marquette’s first win against Purdue since 2019. The Golden Eagles’ cohesive play was evident, as they led for the majority of the game and held a 20-point advantage in the second half.
Next, Marquette will head to Nassau, Bahamas, to face Georgia, continuing their promising season.
In summary, Marquette’s impressive win not only boosts their confidence but also sets a positive trajectory for the rest of the season. The performance shows the team’s growth under Shaka Smart, and fans can look forward to more thrilling games as the season unfolds.