Unfortunately for Notre Dame, losing at home has suddenly become a habit.
(AP) --
The Irish had won 45 straight at Joyce Center before second-ranked Connecticut beat them last Saturday. Now Marquette has handed Notre Dame rare back-to-back home losses.
Jerel McNeal had a season-high 27 points and Wesley Matthews made some key baskets down the stretch to lead eighth-ranked Marquette to a 71-64 win that was Notre Dame's fourth straight loss overall.
Matthews had 16 points and Dominic James added 15 for the Golden Eagles, who have won 10 straight. Marquette is 18-and-2 overall and 7-and-0 atop the Big East.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
