Marquette - Champions of Alaska ....AGAIN

The Marquette Golden Eagles captured the title in 2001 and they repeated their performance tonight against South Carolina in a thriller, 92-89, in overtime. Marquette was led by Ryan Amoroso's sensational game of 30 points and 12 rebounds, by far the best collegiate game of his career. Senior Steve Novak added 28 points and was named the tournament MVP. Freshmen Dominic James and Jerel McNeal also made the all-tournament team.

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The two finalists played one of the best college games of the young season and the first overtime championship game in the 28 year history of the tournament. 23 of the previous 27 winners have gone on to the NCAA tournament that year.

The two teams exchanged leads throughout the night with neither team having more than a 7-point edge. MU had an advantage at the free throw line while USC made difficult shot after difficult shot all night long. At halftime, USC led by one point. In the second half both teams continued to shoot the ball well and take care of the basketball. Each team committed only 12 turnovers for the contest, a sharp reduction from MU's previous games.

As the game came down to the final minutes, MU took a 80-76 lead on a Dominic James three pointer. The Gamecocks answered with a 4 point play of their own as the drilled a trey and Barro fouled the shooter in the process. With the game tied, MU went for the win by having James isolated with the ball. He dribbled into the lane, levitated and took a 12 foot jump shot that was short. Wes Matthews grabbed the rebound but was hammered on the elbow as he attempted the putback. The refs swallowed the whistle and there was no call....USC and MU went to overtime. In the OT session it was the Amo and Novak show as the two played like Warriors and carried MU to victory. Amo's two free throws with 4 seconds left put us up by 3 and USC's desperation 3 pointer would not fall.

Marquette, now 8-1 all-time in the Great Alaska Shootout with two championships and one runners-up.


Todd Rosiak's article can be found by clicking here.

The Anchorage Daily News recap can be found by clicking here.

The (SC) State's recap can be found by clicking here.

The GoMarquette recap can be found by clicking here.