GAME NOTES: After dropping their first game in conference play, the Marquette Golden Eagles will host their first Big East opponent this season when they challenge the Providence Friars on Saturday aftertoon at the Bradley Center.

Providence enters the contest on a five-game winning streak with its most recent victory coming on New Year's Eve when it knocked off the Creighton Bluejays, 65-53. The Friars' win streak has propelled them to a record of 11-3.

Prior to a 61-58 loss at the DePaul Blue Demons on New Year's Eve, the Golden Eagles had won four straight during a five-game homestand. The loss put Marquette's record at 8-5 for this season.

This game marks the 19th time these programs will meet on the hardwood, with Marquette leading the all-time series 13-5. In their most recent matchup, Providence knocked off the Golden Eagles, 81-80, in double-overtime during March of this year.

Against their first Big East opponent this season, the Friars got a huge performance from LaDontae Henton who netted 35 points and pulled down eight rebounds in Providence's victory over Creighton. Other contributors in the victory were Kris Dunn (12 assists, eight rebounds) and Jalen Lindsey (eight points). The Friars shot well from the field, as they connected on 44.4 percent of their field-goal attempts. Providence held a slim 32-28 lead going into halftime but was able to pull away in the second half by holding the Bluejays to a 27.6 shooting percentage in the final period.

Henton has been the top scorer and rebounder for Providence this season, as he is averaging 21.1 ppg and pulling down 5.5 rpg. Henton's average also makes him the top scorer in the Big East at the moment. Dunn (12.7 ppg) and Tyler Harris (11.6 ppg) are the other two Friars to average double figures this season. Providence is currently scoring an average of 70.2 ppg and holding opponents to an average of 61.1 ppg, which puts them well ahead in the scoring margin (+9.1). The Friars are also ahead in the rebounding margin (+3.1), and turnover margin (+2.4) this season. Providence is also playing great perimeter defense, as they are only allowing teams to shoot 28.4 percent from beyond the arc (third in the Big East).

Marquette turned the ball over 15 times on Wednesday which DePaul converted into 21 points, helping the Blue Demons overcome a 32-26 halftime deficit and defeat the Golden Eagles in conference play. Matt Carlino and Duane Wilson each netted 11 points for Marquette in defeat, while Juan Anderson nearly finished with a double-double after tallying nine points and eight rebounds. The Golden Eagles shot a below-average 38.6 percent, which included a very poor 3-of-23 mark from 3-point range. In the final period, Marquette allowed DePaul to shoot 44.4 percent and the Golden Eagles only connected on 7-of-12 free throw attempts in the closing twenty minutes.

Carlino (12.2 ppg), Wilson (11.7 ppg), and Anderson (11.0 ppg) have all been the top scorers for Marquette this season, while Luke Fischer has averaged 13.6 ppg in just the five games he has played in. Despite shooting an impressive 46.5 percent from the field, the Golden Eagles rank last in scoring offense in the Big East with 69.6 ppg. Defensively, Marquette is holding opponents to 64.3 ppg and that has put the Golden Eagles ahead in the scoring margin (+5.3). Marquette has the third best turnover margin in the Big East (+3.6), and the third most assists (208), but is second to last in the rebounding margin (-3.2) in the conference.

The Friars enter this game with four straight double-digit victories and the top scorer in the Big East, while Marquette had won three straight by double figures prior to its loss to DePaul. Although Marquette may be able to get back on track offensively, Providence's offense could be too much for the Golden Eagles to handle.