COL BKB: Marquette 79, DePaul 70

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthews combined for 41 points Saturday, carrying 10th-ranked Marquette to a 79-70 Big East victory against DePaul.

It was Marquette's ninth win in a row and DePaul's seventh straight loss.

McNeal scored 21, and his two free throws gave Marquette its biggest lead at 51-36 with18:10 left in the contest. Matthews scored 20 with six rebounds and three assists.

Lazar Hayward had 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Dwight Burke had 10 points and seven rebounds, while Domonic James added eight points with nine assists for the Golden Eagles (17-2, 6-0), who lead the all-time series by a 63-43 margin.

Dar Tucker led DePaul with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Will Walker had 17 points and three rebounds, while Mac Koswal added 14 points and nine rebounds for the Blue Demons (8-12, 0-7), who have not won since a non-conference 90-67 rout Dec. 28 against little Alcorn State.