MUScoop

MU advances to play Notre Dame in the BET

Written by: NY Warrior

MU overcame the feisty Seton Hall Pirates 67-54 to advance to the quarterfinal round of the Big East tourney.    In one of the ugliest games in recent memory, Jerel McNeal's sublime performance was the difference.  The slashing guard led MU with 21 points, hauled in 9 boards and dished out four assists.  Dominic James landed up with 11 points, five boards and four steals -- each of which came in the last three minutes of regulation to help seal the victory.  Lazar Hayward came through with a big second half, earning another double/double with 15 and 10.

The story of the night was offensive rebounding where MU snared 21 boards on their way to a 52-29 advantage on the glass.  Despite that dominance, MU was unable to convert consistently (the Golden Eagles only shot 34% from the floor) and was miserable at the charity stripe (20-35, 57%).

Survive and advance.

Seton Hall Media Updates

• Box Score (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=280720269)
• AP recap (http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=280720269)
• Rosiak's recap (http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=727795)
• Adam Zagoria blogs the game (http://njmg.typepad.com/zagsblog/2008/03/seton-hall-marq.html)
• Ray Floriani on Day One at the BET (http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/03/ray-floriani-reports-from-day-one-of.html)
• Rosiak's blog on the night (http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/03/13/wrapping-up-the-first-round.aspx)
  

With the win, Marquette improves to 23-8 on the season and will lace'em up against the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish tonight at 8pm CST.  Marquette and Notre Dame split the regular season matchups with each team winning at home.  Here's a quick look back:

MU/ND Game One
MU knocks off ND - game recap (http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/01/marquette-stomps-nd-92-66.html).
MU knocks off ND --numbers recap (http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/01/notre-dame-numbers-recap.html).

ND knocks off MU - game recap (http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/02/mu-loses-notre-dame.html)
ND knocks off MU -- numbers recap (http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/02/notre-dame-numbers-recap-game-2.html).

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/03/mu-advances-to-play-notre-dame-in-bet.html