Starting the game with a serious size advantage over the Negaunee Miners, the Marquette Redmen got onto the scoreboard first at :30 seconds into the game, making it 2-0. Marquette held their lead for the first several minutes of the game thanks to some great defense, and it was 4-0 for the Redmen after three minutes. Soon, it was 9-0 for Marquette, and the Negaunee Miners were forced to use an early timeout to try and stifle the Redmen’s offense. Amazingly, the Redmen kept their shutout going, and they had a 12-0 lead with just over two minutes left in the first. Negaunee finally found the bottom of the net with a short jump shot, but they still trailed by more than ten points. The Miners made up some ground just before the end of the first, but the Redmen still had a comfortable lead to start the next quarter.
First Quarter Score
Marquette Redmen: 15
Negaunee Miners: 7
Just after the start of the second quarter, the Negaunee Miners were again forced to use a vital timeout after the Marquette Redmen drained another quick basket. Marquette held their lead at 10 points for several minutes, and Negaunee was trying anything they could to generate some offense. The referees seemed to be content to let the game play out, even though several fouls could have been called on both sides of the court. Still leading by double-digits, Marquette seemed content to control the pace of the game as halftime neared. Marquette’s bench exploded onto the court late in the second, as the Redmen’s subs extended their lead to an incredible 17 points thanks to some nice back-to-back baskets. As the first half fell under one minute to play, the Redmen held a 20-point lead at 31-11.
First Half Score
Marquette Redmen: 31
Negaunee Miners: 11
The Marquette Redmen were ready to finish-off their game against the Negaunee Miners, and they only had to stay strong and hang on to their lead for two more quarters. Luke Ogea was dominating the scorecard, leading all scorers through the first half with six baskets for 12 points. Amazingly, the Redmen kept up their march and had a nearly 30-point lead with under three minutes left in the quarter. The score was 47-21 as the third quarter fell under one minute remaining, and the Negaunee Miners appeared defeated. The entire Negaunee gym was nearly silent for the last minutes of the quarter.
Third Quarter Score
Marquette Redmen: 49
Negaunee Miners: 23
With only eight minutes left to play, the Marquette Redmen were having a spectacular game. Negaunee was uncharacteristically silent, possibly contemplating their earlier mistakes. The Redmen held their nearly 30-point advantage for several minutes, and the game looked all but in the bag for Marquette as the game’s final buzzer neared. It was 60-30 for the Redmen late in the fourth, and the Miners had nearly given up, much to their coach’s disappointment. With the dominant win in Negaunee, it certainly appeared that the Marquette Redmen were set to take on the post-season tournament.
Final Game Score
Marquette Redmen: 67
Negaunee Miners: 36
