Jan. 10, 2008

MU-ND Game Notes (PDF)

The No. 15/16 Marquette University men's basketball team wraps up a two-game homestand Saturday afternoon when the squad hosts BIG EAST Conference opponent Notre Dame at the Bradley Center. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. CT and ESPN+ will produce the broadcast, which will air locally on WMLW. Lou Canellis (play-by-play) and Mike Kelley (analyst) will call the action. The Golden Eagles have claimed six of the last nine meetings with the Fighting Irish, but Notre Dame leads the all-time series 76-32. The two programs will also meet Feb. 9 in South Bend.

MU Hopes To Continue League Success At Home
The Golden Eagles have posted an impressive 249-74 overall record at the Bradley Center since the 1988-89 campaign and that high level of success has also included a consistent ability to defend the program's home court in conference matchups.

Since joining the BIG EAST in 2005-06, the Golden Eagles are 15-3 at the Bradley Center in league action, including the conference-opening victory over Providence and Tuesday night's come-from-behind win against Seton Hall.

Dating back to last season, Marquette has claimed 11-straight overall victories at home.

Fitzgerald's Final Trey Seals Victory Over Seton Hall
Senior forward Dan Fitzgerald posted a season-high with four 3-pointers in the win over Seton Hall, with the most important basket coming in the final seconds of regulation.

Fitzgerald buried a trey from the left corner with nine seconds left to give the Golden Eagles a five-point advantage and the opportunity to seal the victory. The St. Paul, Minn., native finished with a season-best 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, with all of his attempts coming from long distance.

Hayward Not Turning Down Charity In Recent Games
Ranked among the league leaders all season in free throw percentage, sophomore Lazar Hayward's recent success at the line has allowed him to continually climb up the list.

The Buffalo, N.Y., native has made 17-straight free throws dating back to the IPFW game on Dec. 17. He is currently connecting on 82.6 percent (38-of-46) of his opportunities in 2007-08 to pace the roster.

Hayward shot just 66.7 percent (48-of-72) from the charity stripe as a freshman.