Marquette Defeats โAlbany 79-55 in Season Opener,โฃ Seanโ Jones Returns to Court
MILWAUKEE – The Marquette Golden Eagles โคbegan their 2025-26 basketball โseasonโ with aโข decisive โ79-55 victory โฃover the Albany Great Danes Monday night at Fiserv Forum. The game markedโ the highly anticipated return of guardโ Sean Jones to โฃthe court after a nearly 22-month recovery from a knee injury.โข
Marquette showcased its offensive capabilities despite early-game jitters typical of season openers, ultimately proving too strong forโ Albany. Theโ win provides a positive start for Coach Shaka Smart’s team as they โnavigate a season filledโ with questions about fillingโข key roles and integrating returning players likeโค Jones. โThe Golden Eagles are favored to contend in the Big East,and this game offered โa first glimpse of their โpotential.
The probable starting lineupโค of sean Jones,โ Chase Ross, zaide Lowery, Ben Gold, โขand Caedin Hamilton tookโ the floor for Marquette. Despite aโข slow start with numerous fouls and missed shots, the Golden eagles โgradually established control, leading by a comfortableโ margin at halftime and extending their advantage throughout the second half.
BetMGM.com had Marquette as a 24.5-point favorite, and the team covered that spread, finishing with a 24-point win. The over-under wasโ set at 149.5, and the teams combined for 134 points.
Jeff Levering andโ Tre Demps provided commentary for the โคESPN+ broadcast.
Fans can stream future games on ESPN+, requiring a subscription.
