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Marquette hosts Northwestern State in Blue and Gold Classic

Dec 1, 2006 - 2:51 PM Northwestern St (4-2) at No. 9 Marquette (7-0) 9:00 pm EST

MILWAUKEE (Ticker) - In last year's Blue and Gold Classic, Marquette was more blue than gold.

The ninth-ranked Golden Eagles hope to bounce back from that disappointment in this year's event, which begins Friday with a matchup against Northwestern State.

Marquette had won six straight Blue and Gold Classic titles prior to 2005, when it was upset by Winthop in the championship. The Golden Eagles have won this event 29 times in 44 years with a 73-15 overall record, including a 41-3 mark in the first round.

The Golden Eagles, who have not lost in the first round of this tournament since falling to South Carolina in 1966, continued their perfect start to the season with Monday's 65-62 triumph at Valparaiso.

Dominic James scored 22 points, including the team's final 18, and Ousmane Barro contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds. Wesley Matthews chipped in 11 points for Marquette, which has won 10 consecutive games at the Bradley Center.

Northwestern State is coming off an 89-86 victory over Centenary on Tuesday as Trey Gilder scored a career-high 25 points and Keenan Jones added 12 points.

The winner of this contest will face either Princeton or North Dakota State, who meet in Friday's opening game.