Improving Marquette aims for first road win at Seton Hall

After its best overall performance of the season, Marquette will bid for its first road win of the season when it travels to Newark, N.J., to face Seton Hall on Saturday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles (8-14, 3-8 Big East) shot 68.8% in the first half and were up by as many as 31 points in an 86-62 win over Creighton Tuesday. They have won two of their last three games, but are 0-7 on the road this season and 0-2 in neutral-site contests.

"Our team has gone through some challenges, but the one thing I give our guys a lot of credit for is every day they come to Kasten Gymnasium, they come to work," Marquette coach Shaka Smart said Tuesday night. "They run into the gym, literally, together as a group from the weight room. Everyone is high-fiving. There is a level of energy there. Does that mean it's perfect? No. But they're growing up. That's what is supposed to happen with young players as they gain experience."

Marquette freshman guard Nigel James Jr. continues to impress, scoring 15.4 points per game and shooting 47.7% from the field, including 40.5% from 3-point range.

While Marquette played a complete game its last time out, Seton Hall played a flawless second half in an 86-68 home win over Xavier Wednesday.

Seton Hall (15-6, 5-5) got a season-high 27 points from Tajuan Simpkins off the bench and outscored Xavier 56-27 in the second half.

It came at just the right time for Seton Hall, which had lost four games in a row before the win and was starting to see its NCAA Tournament hopes fade.

Pirates coach Shaheen Holloway shook up the lineup after a rough first half, relying on Simpkins and freshman center Najai Hines to carry the load.

"Just trying to find guys that want to play with energy and defend," Holloway said. "To give up 41 points at halftime on your home court is unacceptable. We went in, watched film, made some adjustments and kept them out of transition."

Seton Hall rallied from 10 points down in the second half to beat Marquette 79-73 on Dec. 30 in Milwaukee. Pirates center Stephon Payne had 14 points and 22 rebounds in that game, the most rebounds by a player ever in a college game at Fiserv Forum.