MILWAUKEE, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Dwyane Wade scored 17 of his 25 points in the first half Wednesday night as the 16th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles avenged last month's loss by routing East Carolina, 80-48, in a Conference USA contest.
On Dec. 30, East Carolina shocked Marquette at home for the second straight season and fans stormed the court following the Pirates' 63-60 victory.
But the odds were stacked heavily against East Carolina in the rematch. The Golden Eagles stretched their home winning streak to 26 games and the Pirates remained winless on the road in their one-plus seasons in Conference USA.
Marquette (14-3, 6-1 C-USA American) has won six straight following consecutive losses to East Carolina and Dayton. It also did not get caught looking ahead to Saturday's showdown at Cincinnati.
The Golden Eagles got off to a slow start, holding an 18-11 edge with eight minutes left in the first half. But Marquette finished the half with a 23-12 spurt to open a 41-23 cushion at the intermission.
East Carolina (11-7, 2-5) was coming off a double overtime victory over South Florida, but lost for the fifth time in six games.
Robert Jackson scored 16 points and Scott Merritt grabbed 13 rebounds for Marquette, which held an opponent under 50 points for just the second time this season. On Nov. 22, the Golden Eagles defeated Coppin State, 64-46.
Gabriel Mikulas was the only player in double figures for East Carolina with 11 points.
