Going into Thursday’s game against Miami, no expert gave Marquette more than a puncher’s chance of advancing to the Elite Eight. The Golden Eagles punched, punched and punched again, en route to a blowout 71-61 victory over the Hurricanes in Washington D.C.

Jamil Wilson led Marquette with 16 points, and Vander Blue and Davante Gardner each added 14. Trent Lockett’s 8 points and 11 rebounds proved huge as well, as the Golden Eagles advanced to their first Elite Eight since 2003.

Miami finished shooting 34.6 percent from the field, but their first half performance, with just six field goals on 20.7 percent shooting, doomed them in the end.

With the ‘Canes struggling in the opening frame, the Golden Eagles jumped out to a 29-16 halftime lead. Two big threes from Jamil Wilson put Marquette in the driver’s seat, and they didn’t let up. Another Wilson three stretched the lead to 18 with 15:00 to go.

Marquette faces Syracuse in the Elite Eight Saturday at 3:30 p.m.