Marquette bested Seton Hall for the third time this season, this time for higher odds: the privilege of facing Notre Dame in the second round of the Big East championship. The 67-54 Golden Eagles victory was largely thanks to Jarel McNeal, who posted a game-high 21 points and stuffed Pirates star Brian Laing for just six points, reports the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
The action in Madison Square Garden included Lazar Hayward's 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Dominic James's 11 points, five boards, and four steals for Marquette. The team total of 56 rebounds helped overcome dismal 34% shooting (18% from beyond the arc). The 25th ranked Golden Eagles are seeded sixth in the Big East bracket; No. 14 Notre Dame is seeded 3rd. (More NCAA basketball stories.)