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MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- Dwyane Wade woke up from a sluggish first half to give Marquette its first Conference USA crown.

Wade scored 19 of his 26 points in the second half as the eighth-ranked Golden Eagles wrapped up the conference title with a 70-61 victory over Cincinnati.

Marquette (23-4, 14-2 C-USA American) finished one game ahead of Memphis for the Conference USA title. The Golden Eagles became the first team other than Cincinnati (17-10 9-7) to win the regular-season title outright in the eight-year history of the league.

"This is one step, we have one championship, but we aren't finished yet," Wade said.

"To me, winning is sweet all the time, they have been in this conference and happen to be the team we played tonight," Marquette assistant Darrin Horn said. "They have done well in this league."

Wade made just 2-of-6 shots and committed all four of his turnovers in the first half as Marquette trailed, 33-29. The Golden Eagles shot just 37 percent (10-of-27) over the first 20 minutes.

Marquette used a 16-6 run to open the second half to take command, seizing a 45-39 advantage. Wade scored nine points in the spurt, including a thunderous dunk to cap it.

"He's a great player and great players make plays," Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins said. "They throw the ball to him and he produced."

Tony Bobbitt came off the bench for 13 points for Cincinnati, which lost for the seventh time in 11 games. The Bearcats also lost a chance at a first-round bye in the C-USA tournament and will be seeded either fifth or sixth.

"We just have to come to the conference tournament," Bobbitt said. "Hopefully, we will get another chance at them."

Wade played possibly his final home game and added 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals. The junior guard is considered a possible NBA lottery selection and was cheered throughout by the sellout crowd, which clamored for his return for a senior season.

Robert Jackson finished with 17 points and nine rebounds and Scott Merritt added 12 for Marquette, which placed four players in double figures. Travis Diener netted 10 points, drilling both of the Golden Eagles' 3-pointers.

"Robert Jackson and Scott Merritt both have been great for us," Golden Eagles assistant Dwayne Stephens said. "They have been strong all season."

Marquette enjoyed a 36-23 edge on the glass, mirroring its 37-37 rebounding advantage in an 82-76 victory at Cincinnati on February 1. The Golden Eagles held a commanding 19-7 advantage over the final 20 minutes.

They also enjoyed a huge advantage at the foul line, outscoring the Bearcats, 24-5. Wade made 10-of-12 attempts, more than Cincinnati's entire team.

"They have guys they can throw it to and score," Huggins said. "How are you going to win when you shoot 11 free throws and send them to the line 32 times?"

Cincinnati got off to a good start, scoring the first five points on a 3-pointer by Taron Barker and a basket by Leonard Stokes. The Bearcats took their largest lead at 20-11 on Stokes' jumper near the midway point of the first half.

Reserve Armein Kirkland scored 11 points and Stokes was the lone starter in double figures with 10 for Cincinnati. Stokes, Barker and Field Williams combined to shoot just under 35 percent (9-of-26).

Marquette, which finished with a 15-1 home record, won for the 31st time in its last 32 home games.