Chloe Marotta's near triple-double helps Marquette rout UW-Milwaukee in women's basketball rivalry
Chloe Marotta was closing in on a triple-double, though nobody on the Marquette bench let the fifth-year player know that during the Golden Eagles' 73-47 victory over UW-Milwaukee in the latest edition of the women's basketball rivalry on Sunday at the Al McGuire Center.
"Nirel Lougbo was a little bit in my ear about getting 20 boards," Marotta said. "That's all she said."
Marotta came up just short of that number, too, but finished with 19 points, 16 rebounds and six assists in one of her best collegiate performances.
"You got to be hard to guard," Marotta said. "That's what's important. If someone's going to come out on you, you got to be able to shoot, drive, do whatever you need to do. But also just be confident to be the solid person."
Marotta came up one rebound shy of her collegiate high, but the former Homestead High School star saved her best showing for her last one in this intracity series.
"It's a fun game," Marotta said. "I've got some people that I've played with in AAU and high school, so playing against them is kind of fun as well.
"It's just kind of that crosstown, you're playing in the same city, so there's a lot of fans as well. I just think it's a great game."
Marotta set the tone with seven points and five rebounds in the first quarter. The Golden Eagles (3-0) then took control with an 18-0 run in the second quarter to take a 36-16 lead.
"I think we had six offensive rebounds Friday night (against Holy Cross) and 24 tonight," MU coach Megan Duffy said. "And it just wasn't one or two people going.
"You saw Emily La Chapell (four offensive rebounds). Obviously Chloe led the way; 16 boards is ridiculous. Kennedi Myles, very efficient with her minutes and her rebounding (three offensive boards). And then it kind of became contagious."
MU finished with 20 second-chance points. Marotta's frontcourt mate Liza Karlen added 13 points and three blocks and the duo helped hold UWM's Megan Walstad to one shot attempt before she fouled out after 20 minutes.
"I love playing with Liza," Marotta said. "Something that we do really well is our versatility. Being able to cut really well. Liza you saw today do a couple slips where I was able to hit her.
"Or they doubled on Liza and then I got to be wide open for those shots. Kind of bouncing off each other with that."
Emma Wittmershaus led the Panthers (1-2) with 10 points and four rebounds.
MU and UWM have met 53 times, with the Golden Eagles leading the series 33-20. It's an annual game that's important for Duffy.
"It's huge," Duffy said. "We've got a great relationship with Milwaukee and Kyle (Rechlicz), their head coach.
"We've been doing some community service where both teams combine to help our youth. We've put on two clinics now. In the summertime we can come together and be friends and help the people around us.
"And then we can easily turn the switch and compete against each other. So it's a unique relationship. Really appreciate their program and respect their program and what they're doing. Like I said, maybe not their best night tonight but I think they are going to have a great season."
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Marquette basketball Chloe Marotta almost has triple double vs. UWM
