MILWAUKEE (AP) — David Joplin had 27 points and 10 rebounds as No. 18 Marquette pulled away down the stretch to beat George Mason 82-63 on Friday night in front of a festive, all-student crowd.

The game had a tense moment in the final minute as Marquette’s Ben Gold drove to the basket and got fouled hard by Woody Newton. It appeared Newton’s elbow hit Gold in the face.

Players from both teams exchanged words and shoves. Newton and Marquette’s Kam Jones both received technical fouls, with Newton’s fifth foul knocking him out of the game.

Jones had 24 points and eight assists for Marquette (2-0). Darius Maddox scored 20 for George Mason (1-1).

The game took place on Marquette’s campus in the 3,700-seat Al McGuire Center rather than at its usual home, the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee that seats more than 17,000. The crowd consisted entirely of students.

No. 18 Marquette beats George Mason 82-63 in front of all-student crowd on campus | iNFOnews.ca — Marquette’s Chase Ross is fouled driving between George Mason’s Jeremiah Quigley and Darius Maddox during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Marquette fed off the students’ energy to take a 13-0 lead in the first 2 1/2 minutes, but George Mason clawed its way back. Marquette trailed by five early in the second half, missed 14 straight shots and didn’t really gain separation until the final few minutes.

Takeaways

George Mason: The Patriots will have to take better care of the ball. They had 19 turnovers against Marquette. Through the first two games, George Mason has totaled 36 turnovers and 25 assists.

Marquette: Outscored George Mason 16-2 over the last 4 1/2 minutes.

Key moment