No 15 Villanova upset by Marquette, 79-72

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jerel McNeal scored 24 points Thursday and Marquette opened Big East play with an upset, beating No. 15 Villanova, 79-72.

McNeal’s 3-pointer with 3:55 remaining capped a 7-0 run by Marquette (12-2), giving the Golden Eagles an eight-point lead that Villanova couldn’t chip away in the closing minutes.

Wesley Matthews added 19, including 16 in the second half.

Corey Fisher scored 21 for the Wildcats (12-2, 0-1), who held each of their first 13 opponents to 68 points or less. Dante Cunningham added 16 points and eight rebounds.

Villanova struggled from outside, hitting only 6 of 20 from 3-point range.