March 4, 2008

MU-FGCU Box Score (PDF)

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MILWAUKEE (AP) - Lazar Hayward had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead No. 21 Marquette past Florida Gulf Coast 67-37 on Tuesday night.

Hayward, who was 0-for-8 from the field in the Golden Eagles' 70-60 overtime loss to Georgetown last Saturday, was an entirely different player against Gulf Coast, registering his fourth double-double of the season.

Wesley Matthews scored 12 points and Dominic James added 11 for Marquette (22-7), which came up with its second-best defensive effort ever. Marquette held Illinois State to 32 points during the 2004-05 season.

Adam Liddell, Casey Wohlleb, Terike Barrowes, Rob Quaintance and Roman Narmbaye all scored six points for Gulf Coast (10-21) in the first meeting between the schools.

Marquette concludes the regular season at Syracuse on Saturday and then has the Big East tournament where the Golden Eagles will be seeded fifth or sixth in the 12-team field.

Gulf Coast concluded its first season as a Division I member and the first losing season in school history. Marquette was the second ranked and Big East team Gulf Coast played this season. Gulf Coast lost 78-66 to Butler, ranked No. 16 at the time, on Dec. 22, and lost 92-60 to DePaul on Jan. 21.

Maurice Acker's 3-pointer capped a 16-2 run that gave Marquette a 46-27 lead with 12:05 left. James' layup with 4:32 to play gave Marquette a 64-32 lead.

Hayward was 5-of-6 from the field and had 15 points as Marquette took a 30-17 halftime lead.

Hayward had three 3-pointers - matching his career best - as the Golden Eagles took a 16-4 lead in the opening 4 minutes.