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Marquette takes on Chaminade in Maui Invitational

Nov 19, 2007 - 6:29 PM No. 13 Marquette (2-0) at Chaminade (0-0) 2:30 pm EST

MAUI, Hawaii (Ticker) -- No. 13 Marquette opens play in the Maui Invitational on Monday against host Chaminade, hoping its first-ever appearance will continue a run of recent tournament success.

In each of the last three seasons, the Golden Eagles have won a tournament in the regular season. The most recent came last season when Marquette capped a 4-0 run through the CBE Classic with a victory over Duke in the title game.

Two of the three junior guards in the Golden Eagles' starting lineup are averaging in double figures. Jerel McNeal leads Marquette in scoring at 13.5 points per game and rebounds at 6.5 per contest.

Dominic James, a first-team All-Big East selection last season, averages 12.5 points and went over the 1,000-point mark for his career in the Golden Eagles' last game, a 66-55 win over Utah Valley.

The Division II Silverswords, 4-63 all-time in the event, returns six seniors who had significant time for a team that went 16-11 last season. Chaminade's top returners will be 7-footer Marko Kolaric (11.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg), forward Stewart Kussler (12.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg), guard Hayden Heiber (7.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) and junior Mike Green (8.2 ppg).

The winner faces either Louisiana State or Oklahoma State in the semifinals Tuesday. The loser heads to the consolation bracket.