Marquette zones in on Valparaiso following rough patch

Field Level Media|published: Mon 1st December, 19:26 2025

Marquette guard Nigel James Jr. (0) celebrates his 3-point shot against Central Michigan in the first half of a game Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Marquette will be searching for a way to apply the finishing touch when it hosts Valparaiso in a nonconference game Tuesday night in Milwaukee, Wis.

Marquette (4-4) is coming off a 75-74 loss to Oklahoma on Friday in Chicago. Chase Ross had 21 points, his eighth consecutive game in double figures, and freshman guard Nigel James Jr. scored 20.

Marquette has lost three of its last four, with its only win in that stretch over Central Michigan after home losses to Maryland and then Dayton in overtime. Those three losses were by a combined 14 points.

The Golden Eagles led Oklahoma by 12 midway through the second half, only to give up a 21-5 run.

"We have to understand that the only way to win is to stay with it, even when everything's not going your way," said Marquette coach Shaka Smart. "Because over the course of a 40-minute game, if you're playing a good team, they're going to make a run."

Ross leads the team in scoring with 20.9 points per game, followed by James at 11.3 and Zaide Lowery at 10.9. Ben Gold, a 6-foot-11 forward, averages a team-best 7.9 rebounds and 8.9 points, with 42 of his 61 field goal attempts coming from 3-point range.

The Golden Eagles average 82.3 points per game, allowing 74.5. Marquette has shot 40.3% or less in each of its four losses.

"Obviously they're a great team, great coach. It's going to be an unbelievable environment," said Valparaiso coach Roger Powell Jr. of Marquette after the win over Western Michigan. "But to be honest, I'm more focused on us."

Valparaiso (5-2) routed Western Michigan 84-55 at home Saturday with four players in double figures. It was a bounce back after a 64-56 loss to Southern Indiana. The Beacons' only other loss was 107-59 to Kentucky in their second game.

Rakim Chaney is the only scorer averaging in double figures at 14.0 with a team-high 15 3-pointers. Shon Tupuola leads with 7.1 boards per game.

Valparaiso averages 70.1 points, giving up 68.1. The Beacons are shooting just 38.3% from the field, making just 29.1% in the loss to Southern Indiana.

--Field Level Media

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