Nov. 15, 2004

Final Stats

Milwaukke, Wis. - Western Carolina got 20 points from David Berghoefer in the junior's homecoming, but Marquette preseason All-American Travis Diener scored a game-high 27 points to lead his Golden Eagles to a 75-64 over the Catamounts in the first round of the Black Coaches Association Classic, played at the Bradley Center. The game was the regular-season opener for both squads.

The Golden Eagles needed a second half comeback to secure the win. Marquette trailed 38-33 at the half and the Catamounts held the lead until Dameon Mason's lay-up at 13:41 gave Marquette a 46-44 advantage.

The game stayed close after that point as no team saw a lead greater than two until Steve Novak hit a 15 foot jumper at 9:10 following a Western Carolina turnover that gave Marquette a 56-52 advantage. Novak scored on the next possession to increase Marquette's lead to six just before the eight minute mark. Novak chipped in 22 for Marquette.

Western Carolina never gave up, but Marquette held the lead for the rest of the game as the team limited turnovers and made its free throws down the stretch. Marquette also dominated the boards with a 47-29 advantage.

In the first half, Western started slow. Berghoefer got WCU's first points with 15:18 left in the first half on a pair of free throws. Luckily, Western's defense kept Marquette to just two points over the first seven minutes of the game.

The Cats did start hitting from the field, but only sank 7-of-17 free throws, while Marquette was able to stay close, hitting 12-of-17 from the charity stripe in the first half.

In addition to Berghoefer's 20 points, Western got nine points from Corey Muirhead and Trey Hopkins each, while Rans Brempong and Berghoefer each pulled down six boards.

Western Carolina will return to action Monday at 2 pm (CT) versus Big 10 member Penn State, coached by former East Tennessee State mentor Ed DeChellis, as the Nittany Lions dropped an 82-73 decision to Illinois State prior to the WCU-Marquette game.