Second Half Thoughts: Eagles clawing back
As expected, Marquette has come out of the locker room playing much cleaner and with more intensity. The Golden Eagles cut the lead to eight at one point and trail only 43-34 with 11:50 left.
But they are still plagued by the same problems — NU’s swarming defense. Marquette is shooting a much better 43 percent from the field as the team is working to close the gap.
It is not going to be easy for the Eagles, even though the Wildcats are shooting just two for eight from the floor. They are still working the ball in Amy Jaeschke and finding some opening. Marquette has stepped up the defense and has forced NU into some holes. The team has also treid a full-court trap to increase its own pressure on the team’s opponents.
NU’s balanced scoring effort might be wearing down on Marquette. While the Cats are not shooting well, they are getting to the line, having taken six foul shots already in the half. It is helping to keep the distance in this game.
Kristin Cartwright leads the way with 10 points, but picked up her fourth foul. Jaeschke and Meshia Reed have eight and Brittany Orban has seven.
