Jan. 8, 2009

Milwaukee -

MU-WVU Game Notes (PDF)

The No. 18/15 Marquette University men’s basketball team returns home Saturday morning to face West Virginia at 11 a.m. CT in the Bradley Center. The matchup is the BIG EAST Network Game of the Week and will be available throughout the nation. Mike Gleason (play-by-play) and Mike Kelley (analyst) will call the action. Saturday’s contest features a pair of nationally ranked squads, with each team owning a six-game winning streak. The Golden Eagles will be looking to move to 4-0 in league play for the first time since the 1993-94 campaign.

Matthews Nets A School Record Of His Own
After watching classmate Jerel McNeal knock down all seven of his 3-pointers in the win over Cincinnati, senior Wesley Matthews earned a spot of his own in the record book with his performance at Rutgers.

The Madison, Wis., native was a perfect 10-for-10 from the field versus the Scarlet Knights, setting a single-game record for field goal percentage (minimum 10 attempts). Three former players (Trevor Powell, Benny Moore, Tom Flynn) each posted 10-for-11 efforts during their respective careers to own a share of the previous mark.

Matthews concluded the night with a team-high 23 points and also chipped in six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot in 37 minutes of action.

Winning Streak Has Plenty Of Contributors
Marquette’s current six-game winning streak has seen the Golden Eagles play well at both ends of the court, with several statistical efforts providing evidence for the team’s recent success.

In the last six games, MU is shooting 50.6 percent from the field as a team, thanks in large part to a 67.3 percent clip (33-of-49) by senior Wesley Matthews. After a slow start from behind the 3-point line this season, junior Lazar Hayward has knocked down 14-of-29 (48.3 percent) from long distance since the Western Carolina game on Dec. 19. Hayward has also enjoyed a near perfect effort from the charity stripe in the last six contests, making 24-of-25 attempts (96.0 percent).

Senior Jerel McNeal is pacing the team with 19.0 points per game during the streak, shooting 55.7 percent (39-of-70) from the floor and 58.1 percent (18-of-31) from behind the 3-point line.