No. 22 Marquette looks to keep winning ways rolling
MILWAUKEE (CBS-58) -- The 22nd ranked Marquette women's basketball team has successfully bounced back from their first back-to-back losses of the season against UConn and St. John's. The Golden Eagles have beaten Xavier, Seton Hall, and DePaul by a combined score of 81 points.
"These last couple weeks have just proven how tough the Big East is. Whether you're trying to fight for a road win or protecting your home floor here at the Al, there's always a challenge," said Megan Duffy, Marquette women's basketball coach.
Now at 15-2, the Golden Eagles have been able to turn to senior Liza Karlen in moments of need all year. Averaging a career-high 17.6 points per game, she is the only player to be named Big East conference player of the week three times this season.
"I think this year, I knew I had to step up in a lot of different ways, whether that was scoring or leadership or rebounding or whatever that looked like on or off the court," said Karlen.
"Liza is great, she sucks in so much, she can kick that out and we have open shots," said sophomore Mackenzie Hare.
Marquette has three players averaging double figures, including Karlen. Preseason All-Big East first team selection Jordan King averages 14.9 points per game and Hare is at 14.2. She's doubled her scoring outputting now in the starting lineup at one point early in the season, Hare led the nation in three-point shooting percentage. She is currently ninth at 47.2%.
"I can't do my job without Kenzie doing hers, and then vice versa, so to have that inside-out threat just opens up the court so much," said Karlen.
"She's expanded her game both defensively, and then her three levels. Just a little sign of maturity. She has a long way to go ahead of her which is cool to see how much better she can get as well," said Duffy.
Marquette is second in the Big East and one of only eight teams in the country averaging 20 or more assists per game, which is a big emphasis for the team.
"Every night someone else can have a great game and it doesn't really matter who that is. We just try to find the hot hand," said Hare.
"I think it can become contagious, that ball has a lot of energy and it's flying around the court in a positive way," said Duffy.
This is an important stretch for the Golden Eagles. Villanova is on a five-game winning streak and sits ahead of Marquette in the conference standings.
Following that game on Wednesday, Marquette will host ninth ranked and Big East leading UConn next Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Al McGuire Center.