A Dominant Debut
Marquette University’s men’s basketball squad opened its Canadian tour with a commanding 102‑49 victory over the University of Calgary, never looking back after a 17‑point lead after the first quarter. The Golden Eagles surged ahead, stretching the margin to 35 points by halftime, a testament to relentless offense and tight defense.
Scoring was led by Royce Parham, who poured in 20 points on 7‑of‑8 shooting, including a perfect 4‑of‑4 from beyond the arc. Sananda Fru contributed six rebounds and two blocks, while Nigel James dished out 10 assists and Ethan Johnston added three steals, underscoring a balanced attack.
Coach Shaka Smart noted that giving Josh Clark 20 minutes per game will accelerate his development, a strategy that appears to be paying early dividends. Clark’s 12 points in just 12 minutes of action illustrated the depth of the bench.
The performance also highlighted the potential impact of incoming transfers Sananda Fru and Nolan Minessale. Fru posted 8 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 16 minutes, while Minessale contributed 11 points, four assists and two steals in 23 minutes, suggesting they could reshape the roster’s depth.