Photo by Brian Georgeson
Sophomore Markus Howard led the way with 26 points against Northern Illinois.
Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski’s teams have always found the first game after final exams particularly challenging.
“This is a very disjointed week for us,” Wojo said after last year’s scare against St. Francis (PA). “These exams after exams but before Christmas, in my experience … can be real grinders.”
That trend continued Monday as Marquette defeated Northern Illinois, 79-70, despite seven first-half lead changes.
NIU sophomore guard Eugene German was a menace; German and teammate Dante Thorpe combined to shoot 15 for 28.