COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — No. 5 Marquette women’s basketball (27-7, 15-3 BIG EAST) is one step closer to reaching its first Sweet 16 appearance after defeating the No. 12 Rice University Owls 58-54 in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Here are three takeaways from the victory:
Offense struggles against Owls
There’s no doubt the Golden Eagles didn’t play their best game offensively. Marquette averaged 83.2 points per game leading up to the NCAA Tournament, but Rice held MU to 58 points.
In the third quarter, the Golden Eagles were shooting a mere 28 percent from the field.