MILWAUKEE (AP) – Jim McIlvaine was nearly awesome. McIlvaine, Marquette University's junior center had a night to remember in the Warriors' 95-65 victory overr Northeastern Illinois Wednesday Night. McIlvaine scored 36 points, blocked a school-record 13 shots and grabbed seven rebounds.

The 7-foot-1 McIlvaine dominated after getting a start in the absence of Damon Key, who injured his knee in Monday's game. “It's a good game for me personally, but I tend to look at games more from a team standpoint,” said McIlvaine. “I started getting a little tired at the end , but it wasn't anything I couldn't overcome. I just hit some good shots. They were getting the ball into me.”

McIlvaine was 13 of 15 from the field and 10 of 13 from the free throw line. McIlvaine broke his own school record with 13 blocks. His old mark was eight, set against Detroit as a freshman, January 31, 1991 and tied last season against Saint Louis on January 18, 1992. “People don't believe me when I say Mac has improved,” Marquette Coach Kevin O'Neill said. “All these jerks who say he hasn't gotten better … he's a much improved playerr. He's got much more heart than anyone thinks.”

Northeastern Illinois led 28-27 about halfway through the first half and stayed with the Warriors until point guard Victor Snipes picked up his third foul with 8:04 left in the first half. The Warriors (4-0) responded with an 11-3 run, giving them a lead they would never relinquish. McIlvaine scored 18 first-half points and Ron Curry scored 14 to give Marquette a 51-35 halftime lead. Freshman Dwaine Streater came in with a 2-point dagger to the heart in the second half, sealing the victory for the Warriors. Northeastern Illinois Coach Rees Johnson said of McIlvaine, “I have seen him play before and he's never looked that good before.”