MILWAUKEE, WI--Marquette rolled to a 90-58 victory over visiting NJIT in women's basketball non-conference action at Al McGuire Center Friday evening.
The Golden Eagles, predicted to finish fourth in the 2021 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll after finishing the 2020-21 season with a 19-7 overall record, 14-4 in the BIG EAST, won its second straight game at home, improving to 2-0 on the young season.
Marquette held a 45-26 lead after the first 20 minutes. NJIT combined for 21 third quarter points, cutting the Golden Eagle deficit to 19 but Marquette outscored NJIT 24-11 in the final stanza, cruising to a 90-58 win.
Karissa McLaughlin led all scorers with a game-high 22 points followed by Lauren Van Kleunen 16 points and Chloe Marotta chipping in 11 points. Forward Liza Karlen just missed notching a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Kennedi Myles led all players with 11 boards as the home team out-rebounded the visitors, 46-to-26. Marotta grabbed eight rebounds and dished out game-best eight assists.
For NJIT (0-2) junior Kenna Squier led the Highlanders with 13 points followed by Grace Plummer (11) and Lyzi Litwinko (10).
Plummer, who hails from West Des Moines, IA, finished with 11 points -- one shy of her career-best 12 points. She finished 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from downtown in 17 minutes of action off the bench for the Highlanders.
Freshman Trinity Williams combined for her second straight double-digit scoring contest, finishing with 10 points and seven rebounds. In Williams collegiate debut at home on November 9, the 6-foot-1 forward recorded 13 points.
Sophomore guard Lyzi Litwinko filled up the box score, adding eight points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
The Highlanders will travel to first time opponent Wisconsin from the Big Ten on November 14 to wrap up its two-game road trip.
