May 30, 2007

MADRID, Spain - The Marquette women's basketball team stayed undefeated in Madrid, Spain Wednesday night by defeating Club Deportivo Hercesa, 66-56. Senior to be Svetlana Kovalenko led the Golden Eagles for the second straight evening with 15 points and eight rebounds. Junior to be Marissa Thrower added 11 points and a team high nine boards, while sophomore to be Janelle Harris was Marquette's third player in double figures with 10 points.

The Golden Eagles started off cold in the first half and Hercesa was able to keep pace, trailing only by two points, 15-13, after the first 10 minutes of play.

Marquette turned it up in the second took a 29-22 lead with 3:15 remaining in the second quarter. Hercesa did not back down and rallied with five straight buckets run to come within one point, 33-32, at half-time

It was all MU in the third quarter as the Golden Eagles outscored its Spanish counterparts, 19-8, for the entire 10 minute quarter. Thrower hit MU's first three-pointer of the game to help spark Marquette. Junior to be Kelly Lam and Harris combined for 10 points during the third quarter helping Marquette to go into final quarter ahead, 52-40.

The Golden Eagles continued to pad its lead early in the final period and led 58-40 with just over eight minutes remaining in the game. MU took its largest lead of the night, 14 points, when junior to be Erin Monfre converted one of two free throws with 2:52 left in the game. The Golden Eagles fended off Hercesa's late comeback attempt and downed the Spanish Club, 66-56.

The Golden Eagles will get the next three days off and travel to Portugal where they will play the Portugal National team back-to-back nights on Sunday, June 3 and Monday, June 4.