Marquette 91, Ball State 53: Chris Otule scored 14 points to lead seven players in double figures as the Golden Eagles cruised to a home win over the Cardinals.
Jamil Wilson finished with 13 points, while Deonte Burton and JaJuan Johnson each scored 12 for Marquette (7-4), which shot 54.1 percent from the field. Derrick Wilson contributed 11 points and five assists and Juan Anderson had 10 points, six rebounds and six steals for the Golden Eagles.
Zavier Turner was the leading scorer for Ball State (2-6), finishing with 16 points, while Mark Alstork chipped in with 11. The Cardinals didn't help themselves at the line, finishing 6-of-21.
The Golden Eagles never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a 14-5 lead. Eight players scored for Marquette in the first half, as it shot 51.4 percent from the field in establishing an 18-point halftime advantage, its biggest lead of the half.
Things didn't change in the second half, as Golden Eagles went up by 21 less than five minutes in and led by 31 before the midway point, holding the Cardinals to nine second-half points to that point. The lead reached 40 in the closing minutes before Marquette settled for a 38-point win, easily the worst defeat of the season for Ball State.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Cardinals' 18-point halftime deficit was their largest of the season. … Otule matched his career high with four blocks. … Marquette dominated the boards, 41-30, and forced 23 turnovers.
Ball St. | Marquette | |
Zavier Turner 16 | Scoring | Chris Otule 14 |
Zavier Turner 5 | Assists | Derrick Wilson 5 |
Majok Majok 6 | Rebounds | Juan Anderson 6 |
Tyler Koch 2 | Free Throws Made | Deonte Burton 4 |
Mark Alstork 1 | Steals | Juan Anderson 6 |
Majok Majok 1 | Blocks | Chris Otule 4 |