On February 26th, Marquette's men's basketball team finally broke through with a roadwind, beating Georgetown 76-60 on February 24th at Capital One Arena. The Golden Eagles, sitting at 10 wins and 18 losses overall and 5-12 in the Big East, ended a long drought that dated back to last. March in the same building. Coach Shaka Smart Squad celebrated the victory tradition with milkshakes from Shake Shack, a sweet reward after plenty of tough losses away from.
Home. The win came without key forward Royce Palm, who tweaked his injury during warm-ups, opening the door for sophomore Demarius Owens to make his first. Owens delivered 11 points, mostly in the first half, while the team adjusted well without their main score. Five starters reached double figures for the first time since early November, showing solid balance on offense.
Freshman guard Nigel James Jr. led the way with 20 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds, capping a strong finish with a highlight reel dunk in. The paint. His explosive athleticism keeps shining, pulling the team ahead in the closing minutes after a 3-pointer from Adrian Stevens built a double digit.
Lead. Teammates rave about his energy and team first attitude. Seniors, Ben Gold, grabbed a double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, his first in college, while Chase Ross added 14 points before A. Minor shoulder tweak late in the game.
Coach Smart praised the group's growth and connection, noting how they've improved despite a rocky season, especially in tight road spots. This victory gives Marquette a much-needed boost, heading into the final stretch, proving they can seize opportunities when it counts most on the road.