GameCap - November 13 vs. Idaho State

On a night when everyone expected the Marquette Warriors to look like a top 20 team, the Warriors squeaked out a 59-56 victory in overtime, in a game in which they were losing with 3.5 seconds remaining in regulation. They struggled to shoot 29% from the field and 51% from the free throw line and frequently looked lost in the halfcourt on offense.

The Idaho State Bengals showed every team in the country how to beat Marquette. They played a tight zone all night that forced the Warriors to beat them with the three, and they couldn't do it, shooting 20% from downtown. Dominic James provided some late scoring to lead the way with 17 points. The offense seemed content to use the 3-guard weave all night, and there was very little movement without the ball, especially by the big men, but the perimeter players didn't move much either.

The free throw line is where the Warriors almost lost it. They missed 15 free throws and would have lost in regulation had Dan Fitzgerald not split a pair in the closing seconds of the second half. Ousmane Barro also hit two clutch free throws in overtime, the only Warrior to go perfect from the line. Missed free throws seem to be a recurring theme early in the season, and it could lead to losses against stronger teams if it is not corrected.

At the end of the night, the Warriors were lucky to walk out of the stadium with a win. A shooter needs to be found to break up the zone defenses that Marquette will continue to see until they prove they can beat it. The defensive intensity was good, but that alone won't be enough against a Big East opponent.