David Joplin leads Marquette to decisive win over Stonehill
- David Joplin led Marquette with 27 points in their victory over Stonehill.
- Marquette improved their record to 7-0 in the season while Stonehill struggles with a 4-5 record.
- The win underlines Marquette's dominance in the Big East Conference as they remain undefeated.
In a competitive matchup on November 27, 2024, Marquette University hosted Stonehill College in a college basketball game. The Golden Eagles, ranked No. 10 in the nation, showcased their dominance with a resounding 94-59 victory. David Joplin played a pivotal role in the offensive onslaught, scoring 27 points, which included making his first five shots and three three-pointers. This outing followed another stellar performance where he scored a career-high 29 points against Georgia just days earlier. Kam Jones and Damarius Owens contributed significantly as well, each adding 14 points to the scoreboard, further establishing Marquette’s depth in talent. Stonehill, which has transitioned to Division 1 basketball starting in 2022, faced challenges in this game, particularly on the road. They entered this contest with a difficult streak, marking their 26th consecutive loss away from home. Amir Nesbitt led the Skyhawks with 14 points, while Hermann Koffi and Chas Stinson added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Josh Morgan, the team’s leading scorer with an average of 15.4 points per game, was absent due to a foot injury, likely impacting Stonehill's overall performance against a top-tier team. The game turned in Marquette’s favor when a pivotal moment occurred; after Stonehill cut the lead to 27-21 with a pair of three-pointers from Ethan Meuser, the Golden Eagles responded with a 24-10 scoring run, leading to a significant 51-31 advantage at halftime. This run demonstrated Marquette’s ability to shift momentum at critical points in the game, a crucial aspect of their undefeated season thus far. Their shooting accuracy was notable, completing 60.7% of their shots and scoring 52 points in the paint against Stonehill's defense. Marquette improved their season record to 7-0, remaining one of the two undefeated teams in the Big East Conference after rivals like No. 22 Xavier and Providence suffered losses. The Golden Eagles have solidified their position as a competitive force in college basketball this season, with their next matchup against Western Carolina set for December 2, 2024. Meanwhile, Stonehill looks to regroup as they prepare to host Quinnipiac in an effort to break their losing streak.